

' 



m&bcea d 




'leimem/iae 



THE 



CAPTURE OF THE ALAMO 



A HISTORICAL TRAGEDY, 



FOUR ACTS, WITH PROLOGUE, 



HIRAM H. McLANE, 

Author of "Irene ViescA; a Tale of the Magee Expedition in 
the Gauchipin War in Texas, in 1812-13," Etc. 



Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. 



As fall the Autumn leaves, 
From untimely frosts; 
So fell this baud of noble men, 
Nipped by tyranny. 




SAX ANTONIO, TEXAS: 

AN ANTONIO PRINTING COMPANY, PRINTERS AND BINDERS. 

• 1886. 



7S^3 



rt 



Mf^l 



C* 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year L886, b> 

HIRAM II. McLAXE, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C 




THE ALAMO AS IT NOW IS. 



To every lover of Liberty, having the rigid 
appreciation of the sacrifices made by men, in 
all ages of the world, to secure it for them- 
selves and their fellow-men, this work is re- 
spectfully dedicated by 

THE AUTHOR. 



"Preface. 



This Tragedy was written to be placed upon 
the boards, and is now published to be sold for 
the purpose in part of raising funds to erect a 
suitable monument on the spot where they fell, 
to that band of noble men who sacrificed their 
lives for their country, on that memorable occa- 
sion, of which a very faint outline is herein 
given. 

References will be found in the body of the 
work directing attention to corresponding ones 
at the end or back part, where will be found ex- 
tracts from Yocbkumts History of Texas, contain- 
ing accounts of the scenes and incidents which 
have served as a foundation upon which to con- 
struct the work itself. 

As a venture, the object is a laudable one. 
As to its merits, either as a literary production 
or a successful dramatic delineation, the success 
which may attend its presentations on the stage 
— should it be so fortunate as to ever get there — 
and the sale of the volume, will be the best cri- 
terions by which to judge; and to these tests it 
is now submitted, to stand or fall, as the case 
may be, by the 

AUTHOR. 

San Antonio, Texas. 



T 



relegue. 



The world in every age doth claim. 
Its heroes who have died for fame ; 
A Rome, a Greece, a Troy hath spread 
A record broad of noble dead, 
Who each one there his life laid down 
For worldly honors and renown. 
And our own Alamo doth claim 
A list not known so well to fame, 
But with the aid of Homer's strain. 
They would a place in it obtain. 
Yet, what by pen we here record, 
May still such place to them afford 
As shall to you, in part portray, 
The sacrifice they made that day, 
When each one there his own life gave 
To freedom for their country save. 
Since, but for those who thus then fell, 
None yet would there in freedom dwell ; 
And, therefore, honor meet we'd pay 
To all who fell upon that day. 
And what shall here to you be shown, 
Will hist'ry be together thrown. 
Though in a fragmentary way, 
Of what occurred from day to day. 
As he, the Arch Dictator came. 



10 Prologue. 



A full surrender to him claim 
'Till those, who rather chose to die. 
Than to surrender or to fly, 
Clave up their lives at most of cost 
To his oVrwhelming storming host. 

And this our purpose too we have, 
Besides to honor those so brave ; 
By in this form to you to tell, 
How Travis and his comrades fell ; 
To see if Shakspeare has a fame 
To which no others may lay claim. 
And if our style is somewhat quaint, 
And neither gay nor grave does paint. 
In tragic some, in comic more, 
Not filled with with wit, nor yet with lore. 
It does the trains of thought pursue, 
As culled from facts of history through. 
And may constructions hear, thus placed* 
By e'en those rules the most straight-laced. 

And though to purpose first to tell 
How Travis and his comrades fell, 
We have the second added to ; 
As question put to each of you 
We'll not for answer make demand, 
'Till you have heard unto the end. 



©ramatis TPersonaz. 



ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA Dictator of Mexico 

Don MARTIN PERFECTO COS 

Brother-in-law to Santa Anna, and General in Mexican Army 

General FELISOLA i 

General CASTRILLON I 

General RAMIREZ Officers in 

General sesma > the 

(tEneral GAONA I Mexican Army 

Colonel ALMONTA 

Mrs. GAONA Wife of General Gaona 

Mexican Soldiers 

Major NIXON -j 

Judge FORBES 

Governor VIESCA 

Don IRALA 

Citizens 

W. B. TRAVIS, Colonel Commanding 

Colonel DAVID CROCKETT 

Colonel JAMES BOWIE 

Colonel J. B.BONHAM 

Major EVANS 

Lieutenant DICKINSON 

Scout and Sentinel 

Mrs. DICKINSON and Child 

Two Mexican Women 

Negro Servant to Travis ... 



Nacogdoches 



Inmates 

of 

the Alamo 



THE CAPTURE OF THE ALAMO. 



ACT I. 



Scene I. — Gen. Gaona's quarters at Guerrero, 
Mrs. (taoxa seated, with book in hand. 

[Enter Santa Anna. 
MRS. GAONA. 

Why do you come here at this hour. 

To honor bring me by your presence ( 

How knew you that I was alone ; 

And feared you not you'd meet my husband? 

SANTA ANNA. 

Nay, trust me; that I've guarded well 
Against such chance of meeting, 
For lie a mission has away, 
As lie obeys my special orders. 
To answer give you to the rest, 
I've sought your presence now; 
As first, I'm driven by desire 
That hourly would bring me to you. 
Since naught of rival you need fear, 
Save and excej)t my strong ambition. 
And next, 'tis this does bring me here, 
To all my plans to you unfold, 
Since now I'm trusting none but you. 



14 The Capture of the Alamo. 

MRS. GAONA. 

But \\ 1 1 \ ' not seek one who can aid 
To further on your plans thus formed? 
A woman's sphere does ill become 
Such grand designs. 

SANTA ANNA. 

Nay; I would not my honors share, 
By joining with me others. 
No; I am not in search of aid. 
But only wish for confidence ; 
And since to woman that belongs — 
At least when man does wish to place — 
I come with mine, as with my heart. 
Before I've done to you. 

MRS. GAONA. 

But pray, why not then go to her. 
Who by the right of marriage vows 
Will sharer be in all your honors. 
And should, too, have your confidence. 

SANTA ANNA. 

Aye, we* as children seek for toys. 
And then in youth to fancies go, 
And when to manhood first we come. 
We still retain enough of each 
That they do oft for us then form 
What we accept as our ideals. 
And which may all through life remain. 
But only though as then in form, 
But what our riper judgments claim 
As meet for fit companionship, 



The Capture of the Alamo. 15 



Is of more solid substance formed 
Than toys or fancies. 
And whilst in her I see the one, 
I find in full in you the other; 
And so, 1 brought you my devotion. 
And as you have accepted that, 
I'd have go with it, confidence. 

MRS. GAONA. 

Speak on. then, if to serve your will. 
The purpose brings recital ; 
What ear I have for such high aims, 
1 will it lend unto you. 

SANTA ANNA. 

So far my cause is well in hand, (a) 

The Congress does my will (they; 

And all who would resist my power 

Do keep their opposition (dose. 

Or else have from the country fled, 

Except these few in Texas. 

A\(\ there's my bosom friend, Zavalla, (b) 

He to whom 1 owe my power; 

And he would too have had me halt 

And put a check to my ambition. 

But then in haste I made him fly, 

And when he'd lied I did pursue, 

And do his capture yet demand. 

Since favors done, nor friendships shall 

My way to power supreme hedge up. 

And as I've said except for Texas. 

Which does still the standard raise 

Of rank rebellion 'gainst my power, 



H5 The Capture of the Alamo. 

I should in peace and quiet reign 

Supreme o'er all the land. 

For what of power that still does seem 

To in the Congress yet remain, 

Is but the merest sham ; 

And when the plan which I've matured, 

To he for future rule for Texas, (c) 

Shall have been passed by them in form. 

As I have deemed best it should be 

For but prudential reasons, 

I will in haste dismiss them then, 

And will so rule that none shall dare 

My right to rule to question. 

For he, who would such rule assume, 

Must have no sharer but his will; 

And since I've willed that you should be 

Made well acquaint with all my plans — 

Thus guarding 'gainst e'en chance betrayal — 

I will unto you make that known, 

Of which b}^ purpose I have willed 

Shall be my future plan for Texas : 

I have it written on this sheet, 

That it may to my tools be sent 

For .their lank-formed endorsement. 

[He reads.] 

" To drive from that one province all 

Who have assisted in the war, 

As well as all of foreign-birth 

Who do reside near to the coast, 

Or on the borders of the neighboring nation. 

And to remove into the Central States 



The Capture of the Alamo. 17 



Those who no part have taken in the war ; 

To make as void all sales and grants of land 

Now owned by those who're not residing there ; 

And remove from Texas all who had not come 

Into the province and enrolled. 

In manner as prescribed by the nation's laws, 

For colonists enacted. 

To portion out amongst the soldiers 

All those lands as of the parts the best ; 

Provided they will dwell thereon, 

And then permit no one to settle there 

Who is of Anglo American blood; 

But sell the lands remaining — 

To the French live million acres, 

And to England's sons the same, 

And to the Germans somewhat more, 

Unto the Spanish-speaking subjects, without 

limit. 
And for meeting all expenses of the war. 
To make the Texans pay the same ; 
To satisfy the Indian claims. 
And liberate all slaves brought to the province 
And make of them good citizens." 
Such is the plan that I've devised; 
And I must, too, with all dispatch, 
The same unto my minions send, 
That I their sanction may obtain, 
As I must yet, on vested rights 
But tread with care, and lightly, 
Lest I perchance too much arouse 
True Anglo-Saxon blood. 
For they whom I would thus prescribe 
Have from their mothers 1 milk imbibed 



18 The Capture of the Alamo. 

Too much of freedom to submit 
To aught not backed with legal forms; 
But when 'tis vested thus, and sent 
To be enforced by writ of court. 
Then shall a force be brought to bear 
Which shall the country of them rid; 
And T may then in safety reign 
O'er all the land supreme. 

MRS. GAONA. 

As nature doth the fawn protect 

By want of scent from prowling beast, 

'Till ir hath strength and fleetness gained 

To its pursuers far outstrip — 

80 hath a prescience been thy guide 

In thus maturing all thy plans, 

As their success thus far doth show. 

And which does future promise give 

Of grand results in termination. 

SANTA ANNA. 

But hold ! one act I've not disclosed, (d) 
Which by decree 1 had them make, 
Which will the "Gringo * Dogs" make iiee 
Like hunted wolves before the hounds, 
Or battle do, e'en unto death. 
Which last would meet my wishes most, 
Since them I'll meet with convict force, (e) 
And deem them dead as but good riddance- 
And therefore it is meet I should 
Make all due haste, and get to Bexar 



* G ringos.— An appellation given to the Americans by the Mexican 
in retaliation tor their being called Greasers by theni ; and the signifi- 
cation is much the same. 



The Capture of the Alamo. 19 

Before its purport shall be known 

To other portions of the State, 

And they be roused to their defence. 

As I did due precautions take 

To have it reach there in advance 

Of my own coming by the space 

Of but a few days, at the most. 

So that they cannot notice give 

To other points, from which there may 

Unto them succor there be sent, 

As with my force I can, with ease. 

Their present force oVrwhelm; 

But lest they through some other way 

The purport of it do obtain, 

I must my stay at once cut short 

And be away, as it is better they should not 

From Bexar esca})e, and join their force 

To those of others farther east. 

That act to which I have referred 

Is that in which it is decreed 

That all of foreign birth who're found 

In open arms against me, shall 

Be dealt with as with pirates. 

And if such shall be strictly done, 

Good riddance shall be got of all 

Who would my peaceful rule obstruct. 

MRS. GAOXA. 
Your plans do like the winged birds rly 
From point to point, with so much eas*- 
That none so wary found may be 
As of themselves, to thwart them. 
And though of pride my boast may seem, 



20 The Capture of the Alamo. 

I can but boast it with a pride, 
That I have "been so worthy thought 
As to be by you so far trusted. 

SANTA ANNA. 

None fears the brink, when cliff's not seen; 
Nor shuns abyss, when not exposed; 
And they but fear a tyrant's will, 
To whom that tyrant's power's disclosed. 
[The bugle-call heard in the distance.] 
Aye, there's the bugle-call, and I must away, 
And to the review. 

[Exit Santa Anna.'] 

MRS. GAONA. 
Aye, he but little knows of woman's will ; 
He did discourse of confidence. 
Do tyrants seek such ? Then 'tis well; 
He'll hud his in me not misplaced 
For weal to those he seeks to rule, 
But to his own high aims, a bar. 
But I must play my part with care. 
And shield myself and husband; 
For, whilst I seem to him to yield, 
He'll not suspect our purpose, 
And thus we can our plans pursue 
To render service to our friends, 
Whom he has said alone do check 
N"ow place to his ambition. 
I must my husband, too, acquaint 
Of this, his coming and his plans, 
That we together counsel take, 
That he, perchance, be thwarted. 



The Capture of the Alamo, 21 

Scene II.— A large hall in the house of Maj. 
Nixon, at Nacogdoches, with citizens assembled 
to entertain with a feast Don Augustine Viesca, 
the deposed Governor of Coahuila and Texas, and 
his secretary, Don Ikala, who had escaped from 
Mexico and sought an asylum there. A table is 
set with dishes and the guests seated, with Maj. 
Nixon at the head, the Governor on the right, 
and Irala next. (/) 

MAJOR NIXON. 

Whilst here, awaiting that the servants shall 
bring in 

And fill these empty plates with savory viands, 

' Tis well we should by other feast be fed ; 

As all our minds and hearts do hunger, 

And would e'en fain be fed 

By that which would impart more strength 
unto them 

Than the savory viands we've prepared, to 
make the feast 

In honor of these here, our guests, shall do un- 
to our bodies. 

The threatened famine of the heart and mind, 

Which at this hour does make us lank and lean, 

Is that destruction of our chartered rights, (g) 

In superceding all those guarantees of '24, 

Thus blasting hopes of peace and quiet 

Round our own hearth-stones ; 

By that dictatorship and centralizing power, 

Which all the States save this, our own, 

It ready holds in thraldom; (a) 

And at this moment threatens us, alike, 



22 The Capture of the Alamo. 

"With chains and slavery. 
For what besides & peonage can come to us, 
If tamely waiting for that coming horde, 
Of those, the creatures of that central power 
In form of standing army, (a) 

Made up of minions hut to do a tyrant's bid- 
ding^ 
And what shall then become of all the rights 
Assured by acts and laws in aid of coloniza- 
tion, (k) 
And contracts made thereunder? (u) 
What says our worthy guest, 
Has he ht meat with which to feed us ? 

DON VIESCA. 

That savory dish of most of which I'd spread 

your board, 
Is that one purpose which does all your actions 

strongly mark, 
Of firm resistance to that central power. 
And which alone can lead to such results 
As shall the least of promise give of future 

fatness. 
The purpose is, as it to you I would impart — 
And which by chance 1 did obtain — 
Through plan submitted from Guerrero 
By that tyrant, Santa Anna, to his pliant Con- 
gress, 
And the confirmation of the which, too, by them 
Has the more become assured 
Since they have shown themselves to be 
The creatures of his power, 
Set up, in forms of law, to do his bidding, (a) 



The Capture of the Alamo. 23 

The plan, I say, tlius formed, 

And but submitted for their sanction, 

That the veil, though thin, 

Of seeming grant of power 

May to you e'en seem thus confirmed, 

Is to drive from tliat province all 

Who have assisted in the war, 

As well as all of foreign birth 

Who do reside near to the coast. 

Or on the borders of the neighboring nation; 

And to remove into the Central States 

Those who no part have taken in the war, 

To make as void all sales and grants of land 

Now owned by those who're not residing there ; 

And then remove from Texas 

All who had not come 

Into the province and enrolled, 

In manner as provided by the nation's laws, 

For colonists enacted. 

To portion out amongst the soldiers 

All those lands as of the parts the best, 

Provided, they will dwell thereon. 

And then, permit no one to settle there 

Who is of Anglo-American blood; 

But sell the lands remaining — 

To the French, five millions acres, 

And to England's sons, the same, 

And to the Germans, somewhat more, 

Into the Spanish-speaking subjects, without 

limit. 
And for meeting all expenses of the war, 
To make the Texans pay the same. 



24 The Capture of the Alamo. 

To satisfy the Indian claims; 

And liberate all slaves brought to the province 

And make of them good citizens." (c) 

Such is the di-sh they are preparing for your 

palates ; 
And, but for efforts strong and joint. 
They yet will thrust it down your throats. 

| Enter Citizen^ 

CITIZEN. 

I come to bring you tidings of good news unto 

our cause. 
A chief of note his presence presses on our 

threshold now, ' 
And even at this moment enters full within 

the town, 
Enroute to active scenes of warfare, 
Where his former prestige and his present 

valor 
May be placed within the scale 
To aid in bringing down the poise 
Upon the side of our wronged rights. 
And I am here to give you notice that no other 
Than the noted son of Tennessee, 
The daring David Cbockett, 
Does our town thus honor with his presence, 
And our cause does wish to strengthen 
By the making it his own. (f) 

MAJOR NIXON. 

This news comes, at this juncture of affairs. 
To bear with pleasing sense upon our minds. 
And lift from them somewhat the weight 



The Capture of the Alamo. 25 

Which the recital to us made 

Of plans and purpose of the central power 

To subjugate us to its will, did thereon place. 

And it is well that we have been assembled here 

As we the better may him show without delay 

A due respect unto his coming. 

And now, with full consent — 

As it I know I have of all those present — 

I will him bid unto the feast. 

That we may gain, from his own lips, 

The causes moving to his actions. 

And perchance to learn from him 

Of others being like-minded, 

Who yet will follow on, to swell 

The number of our scanty forces; 

And I therefore pray you bid him enter, 

And let us his first coining greet 

In fitting style, by rising to our feet. 

And. with the sound of three good rousing 

cheers, 
To make the hall reverberate, (/) 

[Exit one <>f the company, who returns with 
Crockett, when he is greeted with three cheers, 
and is placed in front of Viesca and to the left 

of JMxon.~\ 

MAJOR NIXON. 

Thrice welcome to the feast our cheers hath 

made you ; 
And not unto our feast alone, but to our cause. 
Since we have been advised 'tis it 
Hath thus you brought into our borders, 



26 The Capture of the Alamo. 

And we, before we order that these dishes shall 

be filled 
With meats, to make of body cheer, 
Do beg you to recount — if so it please you — 
The reasons for your coming; 
And, too, advise us of that state 
In which our cause .is held 
Within the land from whence you came, 
And what of others, if such there be, 
Who, having heard of our great straits, 
And having deemed our cause as just, 
Have purposed too, themselves to place 
Within the scale, which rigid and justice hold, 
And with us, aid in bringing down the poise 
To answer to our just demands. 
Our guests, to whom we first to honor here 

were met. 

And who that honor now will with you share, 
Are with us joined, 
And are like sufferers witli ourselves. 
In wrongs inflicted. 

Since Don Viesca, tie who does you there con- 
front, 
And with whom I would have you made ac- 
quaint, 
Did for adherence to the right, 
The tyrant's power feel, 
And was from his high office forced, 
And by his daring only did escape, 
And reached by stratagem these shores, (li) 
A fit companion only having in Ira la , 
He upon his right, and being then his secretary, 
And unto whom I would you, too, present, 



The Capture of the Alamo. 27 

So that in future you may know each other 
As but worthy workers in a common cause. 
And so, in your recital here, you none will have 
Save those who're linked in like strong bond 
Of common interest. 

Speak on, then, if it please you to address us 
now, 

Whilst we shall list'ners be. 

CROCKETT. 

Friends and feller citizens : 

Yer has struk me rite this time, yer did, 

As yer see I ar bin usenter this kinder thing 

For fourteen yar in old Tennersee, 

And in congress yer see. 

For yer see ther nabers arl reck'nd 

As I war ther best coon hunter any whar round, 

I could also hunt out the rascallertys 

They had hearn sumhow or anuther 

War gwine on in Washinton. 

And so, yer see, they stuk me up to run 

Agin sum on yer hiferluten city chaps, 

And, arltho they could tarlk 

Like hail fallin on a board pile, 

And use slathers o' big words, 

Yet the nabers arl thort 

They war not my match 

In huntin out things. 

And tharfore they sent me ter Washinton 

To try ter hunt out ther rascallory things done 

tiiar. 
Wall, when I got thar, 
I went rite ter work ter see what I could do, 



28 The Capture of the Alamo. 

And I scented round, and scented round, 

Like old Tige, my best coon dorg ; 

But I couldn't find nuthin but a cold trail, 

And which allers run rite inter ther same hole, 

And that war strate throo 

Ther treasury house door, it war. 

But when I got in thar, 

Arl war as quiet as death thar, 

And yer wouldn't have thort, 

Ter have seed them chaps in thar, 

That anything wrong had bin done thar 

Since ther old house war built. 

So I kept my eye skinned 

Arl thro ther time I war thar, 

And just afore my second term war up 

I struk a fresh trail, 

And cum home brim full of tight for anuther 

trial, 
And I torld my nabers 
If tha would jest send me back agin. 
That I knowd I could cotch ther old fox, 
"With arl ther little ones, 
And ther coons besides, ther next time. 
But ther fellers when ther found 
I war on ther hot trail, 
Tha bought up arl ther noospapers, 
And hired arl ther blab-mouthed fellers in ther 

country 
Ter go round mongst my nabers, 
And tell them arl kind 'er cock and bull stories, 
And when I found how ther cat war gwine ter 

jump, 
I jest torld my nabers 




COL. DAVID CROCKETT. 



The Capture of the Alamo. 31 

That if ther war gwine ter listen to all ther 
stuff 

Them fellers war gittin thro them. 

And did n't send me back ter Washinton, 

That then ther might arl go ter — 

Wal, yer knos, ter that had place — 

And I would cum ter Texas. 

For yer see when I war in Washinton, 

I hearn so much 

About the way Mexerco war treatin' Texas, 

I would have cum rite oft' 

Ter have helped whip her outen her boots; 

But then yer see 

I wanted ter first foller up 

Ther hot trail I had found; 

But when my nabers arl went back on me. 

And sent ther 'tother feller ter Washinton, yer 

see, 
I skipped rite out for these dig-gins. 
And har I ar now, jest ready ter pitch in 
And lick ther blue blazes outen old Mexerco, 
In less time ner it usened ter take 
My old dorg, Towser, 
Ter kill er baby coon in his best days. 
And now, I want yer ter show me the]- way 
To ther biggest coon rite thars gwine ter be. 
As for them other tellers. 
What war talkin er bout cummin. 
They were too slow coaches for me, 
And I would n't wait for 'em, so I would n't; 
But I reckon as how, 
There'll be a rite smart sprinkle on 'em 
Along arter a while. 



32 The Capture of the Alamo. 



And now, that ther trail ar hot, 

Let me go thro' ther motions ter onct, 

So that I can go havers with yer 

In dividin ther game. 

Bring on yer book, 

And let me stick my list rite ter it ter onct, 

And then I shall be ready to cut ther eje- teeth, 

By puttin' ther tiger four over ther eyes, as big 

as a bar's foot. 
Ov whoever will dare to raise a linger 
'Gainst our Texas. 

MAJOR NIXON. 

Come, let us first partake of the repast, wich 

I fear 
Has ready grown sodden, 
By reason of our long delay 
In the issuance of our orders for its serving. 

CROCKETT. 

No, no! Old Davy Crockett never yet let his 

dorgs loose 
With stomachs tilled with nabers' food 
And then demanded shave o' game. 
No, no; let me first go through ther motions, 
And then Til jine yer in ther feast. 

MAJOR NIXON. 

Away, then, to the proper office Ave will go, 
And let his wrshes thus be met. (/') 

[A scene is drawn, showing the office of Judge 
Forbes with the Judge seabed at a table with 
writing material. Entrr Nixon, Crockett and 

citizens.] 



The Capture of the Ahnno. 33 

MAJOR NIXON. 
Though oft on errands like we've come, 
We yet have not before, like this, 
Been called to leave a feast unserved, 
And yet prepared and left unserved 
For reasons strange as this has been. 
Since this, our guest whom we have called, 
Does so refuse to join with us 
Until lie does allegiance bear unto our cause; 
And thus we've brought him unto you, 
That you may in a proper form 
A legal subject of him make, 
That thus he may, as he desires, 
Be equal with us in demands of rights, 
As well as sharer in our fasts and feasts. 

JUDGE FORBES. 
It is his purpose, then, to take the oath 
That's been by our own chiefs prescribed? 
If such his wish, 'tis well ; the form is this: 
I. A. B., of my own free will, and with intent 
And purpose full, and knowledge clear 
Of what I'm thus required to do. 
By this, my act, do here renounce 
All form of liege I e'er have borne, 
Or yet do bear. 

Unto the lands from whence I came, 
And true allegiance thus assume 
Unto that form that's been prepared 
For rule of Texas, 

Or such other form as shall in future be decreed 
By those who shall be then her rulers. 

Dost sign \ 
w 



34 The Capture of the Alamo. 

CROCKETT. 

Old coon, I recken, now, you'll hardly get me 

thar ; 
The trail I'm on does only have the scent of 

a Republic, (f) 

MAJOR NIXON. 

How then; shall not the change be made 

To suit his wishes ; 

Hath not our chiefs so thus decreed? 

For who among them. 

If himself thus brought to make the choice. 

Would not demand the same; 

And who among them 

Deems aught else but a Republic possible I 

JUDGE FORBES. 

Then let it so be done ; 

The change I'll make, and let him sign. (/) 

[He changes. ~\ 

The change is made, and thus it reads : 
" For rule of Texas, or such other form 
As shall in future be decreed 
By those who shall be then her rulers. 
If that form be a Republic." 

CROCKETT. 

That ars it now ; that's ther trail I'm runniir on. 
And let me stick my fist ter onct ter it. 

[Crockett signs, and J%dge Forbes, looking at 
tlie signature, says:] 



Tlie Capture of the Alamo. 35 

JUDGE FORBES. 

What ! art thou he of whom we've heard so oft, 

As in the wilds of Tennessee 

Thou didst the game with hounds pursue ; 

And when to Congress thou were sent, 

The hall was filled with thy quaint speech, 

And with thy rustic tales did all enchain \ 

Then welcome to our cause, 

Since thy valor, like thy speech. 

Hath thus far made thee famous ; 

And may thy acts of prowess in our cause 

Not dim the present lustre of thy name \ 

MAJOR NIXON. 

And now unto the feast we'll go. 
And of its savory meats partake 
With relish, whetted sharp with fasting. 



ACT II. 

Scene I. — Gen. Gaona\s quarters, in camp be- 
tween Guerrero and San Antonio. Present — 
Gen. and Mrs. Gaona ; the latter attired in male 
apparel, and in the act of adjusting her hat. 

MRS. GAONA. 

How think .you, General, will that do 
To pass me for a trooper ( 

GENERAL GAONA. 

You have with skill your sex disguised, 

But I shall fear me you will lack 

A proper soldier's hearing. 

Still, to our patron saint belongs 

The task alone of guarding you. 

But you must bear the drill in mind, 

As I have taught it unto you, 

Of how you will approach the guard, 

And for the day the word is "Hondo" 

And you know the r< )t<l< j zv<>ux. 

Where you'll find our friend, the scout, 

And, with a prayer unto the saint. 

You must in haste away. 

As it is meet our friends should know. 

Not only of his rapid coming. 

But the tyrant's threats, as well ; 

So, quick, away. 

I Exit Mrs. Gaona.] 



The Capture of the Alamo. 37 



And I must to the vulture go. 
To learn his plans as best I may. 
That I may shield the threatened prey. 

Scene II. — Travis' quarters at San Antonio. 
Travis sitting at a table with papers, &c. upon it. 

[Enter Officer of the Guard.] 

OFFICER. 
Whilst out remounting guard. 
From which I've just returned. 
We captured quite a prize for us, 
In person one of whom I've oft, 
Heard you make special mention, 
And he will likewise to our cause 
Be quite an acquisition. 
And I have ordered, that as soon 
As he shall finish the repast 
Of which he sorely stood in need, 
That to your quarters he be brought, 
As he the wish did so express, 
And it did with my will accord, 
As I assured it would to you 
Be likewise, too, most pleasing. 

TRAMS. 
My wish thy will would sorely press ; 
To have at once you make it known, 
To whom you do by speech refer, 
As queries rise which will not down. 
To vex my anxious spirit. 
I therefore pray you, not to wait 
His coming; to announce his name. 
If one before that I have known, 



38 The Capture of the Alamo. 



I then the better shall him greet, 
And not appear confused, or rude. 

OFFICER. 
I hear the sound of steps approach, 
And he does hither come. 

[Enter Crockett, and the officer escorts him to 
Travis, who rises.] 

This is lie, of whom I spake, 

And that to each the other know, 

I would, when hands are joined by you, 

A Ckockett's say a Travis' holds, 

And so your hands you may thus join, 

And by them thus be made acquaint. 

[They join their hands.'] 

TRAVIS. 
Thrice welcome do we make you here : 
With hand, and heart, and speech, 
Since naught, we know, but our just cause 
Did thus you bring to us, 

[They let go each others' hands.] 

CROCKETT. 
Wall, now, Kernel, yer rite thar; 
For, yer see, when I war in Washinton, 
And arter I'd cum home ter old Tennersee, 
I'd hearn a good deal tarlked about 
Ther coon fight yer fellers were havin' 
With old Santer Aimer and his pack outen liar. 
And, yer see, when my nabers arl went back 
on me, 

And wouldn't send me back ter Washinton, 



The Capture of the Alamo. 39 

To foller up ther hot trail 

I had found when I war thar, 

As I torld them other fellers, 

In that other town thar, 

Whar they war havin' a dinner 

Without anything ter eat when I cum thar, 

And whar ther wanted me ter swar I would tite 

Fer a king, or any other kind of a feller 

Ther wanted ter put up fer a tiger head 

Fer a new government fer Texas ; 

But, yer bet, Kernel, I war too old er coon 

Ter be caught in that trap, so 1 war, 

And so I torld ther feller, 

What war bossin' ther job, 

That ther only trail I war willin' ter run on 

War a good old Republic, 

Like ther one I war usenter. 

So, yer see, anuther feller said he didn't see 

Why I couldn't have my way 'bout it, 

As he know'd yer fellers outen liar 

Wanted it that ar way, too. 

And yer see that other feller what war bossin' it 

He changed it rite er way, he did, 

And I stuk my list ter it ter onct ; 

And arter that, don't yer think * 

We arl went and sot down ter ther grub 

They'd had in ther pots cookin' ever since 

niornin'; 
Fer, yer see, ther war gwine ter give ther grub 
Ter two blasted big-bug Mexicans thar ; 
But, yer see, when I cum thar 
They cheer'd, and cheer'd, and cheer'd. 



40 The Capture of the Alamo. 



And yer bet I put on my Washinton manners, 

And strutted 'round purty big like. 

And used my best dicshunary. 

Wall, I've kinder gotten off ther trail a leetle, 

But I recken as how I'll get back agin 

To whar I was sayin' 

That when my nabers art went back on me. 

And would n't send me back ter Washinton, 

I torld them they might arl go ter — 

Wall, Kernel, yer knows whar that ar — 

It's ther bad place. Kernel. 

Wall, as I war say in', 

I torld them ther might arl go thar. 

And I would go ter Texas, yer see ; 

And so, yer see, liar I ar, rite har, Kernel, 

Jist as good as my word, Kernel. 

Fer, yer see, old Davy Crockett 

Never yet went back on his word ; 

No, Kernel, for his motter alters war, 

" Be shore yer rite, then go ahead." 

And now, if yer got any fitin' ter do, 

Jist bring on yer fellers. 

And I'll lick ther flints fer 'em 

In less time ner it usenter take 

Old Towser ter whip er baby coon 

In his best days, so I will, Kernel. 

TRAVIS. 
Well; Colonel, I guess you'll have a chance 
To show your skill in that line ; 
And now Til take a turn around with you. 
And show you how we live here, 
And the sights in general. 



The Capture of the Alamo. 41 

Scene III. — Travis 1 quarters; present, Travis 
and others (his staff.) 

TRAVIS. 

What! No news yet from scouts dispatched, 

To but confirm, or yet disprove 

The rumors of the foe's approach \ 

No wary fox e'er play'd his game of tack 

With more of skill than they their parts 

As spies and scouts do play, 

And therefore it can bode no ill to them; 

\Eider Sentinel.] 
SENTINEL. 

There's one without, who came in haste, 

And makes demand to be brought in. 

As he an urgent message has, 

And therefore illy brooks delay : 

But thus your will, and so your orders. 

And I had him stand in waiting, 

Till you bid me let him enter. 

TRAVIS. 

Send him in ; it must be one for whom we look ; 
And bid him come without delay. 

[Exit Sentinel.'] 

Ah ! Now our tingling ears shall catch 

The truth, no doubt, since neither would return 

Unladen with the news so needed to be borne. 

[Enter Scout.] 



42 The Capture of the Alamo. 

TRAVIS. 

What news dost bring? 

What of the rumors that have rilled the air, 

And rang, like chimes of church bells, 

On our ears, 

Of that vast host, led by that chief, 

With heart so blackened with deceit, 

And hands filled full of craftiness ; 

Who, while the smile was on his lips, 

And protestations on his breath, 

Of warm attachment 

To that compact made in '2-t, 

Was seeking its full overthrow \ 

Come, now, the burden of thy message quick 

unload, 
And thus oui' ears relieve, with its recital. 

SCOUT. 

Those swift-winged rumors, 

Which, so like the birds of passage, 

Following fast within the other's track, 

Did reach your ears in flocks, 

Were burdened with much more of truth 

Than our defenceless state, I fear, 

Shall make it pleasing to your ears, 

To have confirmed. 

For he, the chieftain comes — 

As did those rumors have it — 

With a well appointed force. 

And numbered by the thousands ; (c) 

And yet, with more from other points 

To join him still, 



The Capture of the Alamo. 43 



Thus making up the flower and chief 

Of his, so boastful, followers ; 

And even, at this moment, does 

His van-guard press upon us, 

With the main force 

But a few leagues distant : 

With purpose full, to make that victory void, 

So nobly gained, when Milam fell ; (i) 

And wipe from off his kinsman's valor, (e) 

The stain thus made, by his surrender. 

And farther boasting, he does threat 

To drive from off the sacred soil, 

Or put to sword, those "Gringo Dogs'' — 

As he doth please to name those 

Who were 'ticed to enter on, 

And drive from thence the savage foe, (j ) 

And break the soil, to make them homes — 

Fair, smiling homes — and 'ticed thus, 

By those pledges made, in form of law, (Jc) 

Which should be yet most sacred ; 

But which, through want of faith well kept, 

Are by him disregarded ; 

And which do make the basis now, 

Of this, our cause. 

This much I learned from one 

Unto our cause attached, 

Though with the foe in favor, 

Who, by appointment made, 

Did from the chieftain's quarters come, 

Where council, then, was held. 



44 The Capture of the Alamo. 

TRAVIS. 
'Tis well ; his arrogance and boastful will 
Shall serve to lead him in that trap 
Wherein unwary birds are caught. 
. Such is the will of Him who guides 
When wrong against the right is waged. 
And plighted faith is broken. 
For, like that boasting prince who lied before 
Those mystic sounds, borne on the breeze. 
When he had pitched against that chosen band, 
He too, shall of the fears born of the right, 
With conscience lighted up with wrong, 
When magic power of our strong arms 
Shall their full force of light 
Upon the canvass throw, 
Betake himself to whence he came, 
Or else be made to bite the dust. 
And each, his craven follower, shall 
A bullet feel, from certain aim 
Of some one trusty piece 
Held by our patriot hands. 
And now, let Bonham, Bowie, Crockett, Evans, 
All be called. 
That we may hold a council here forthwith. 

| Exit one of Ins staff.'] 
TRAVIS, (turning to Scout.) 
And you may your own quarters seek. 
And when refreshed, with food and sleep. 
Then, to the foe return again. 
That, watching, you may bring us news 
Of all his movements. 

[Exit Scout:] 



The Capture of the Alamo. 45 

[Enter Bonham, Bowie, Crockett and Evans, 
with Bowie carried in on a cot.] 

TRAVIS, (to Bowie.) 

How now, Colonel ( 

It is well you're convalescing'; 

And the news brought by our scout 

May serve the purpose by far better 

Than either splints or sticking plaster, 

To keep your fractured bones in place, 

And hasten on the knitting process. 

[To all.] 
I've called you all unto this council, 
As one despatched but two days since 
Docs, on return, bring back the news 
That those swift rumors, which the air did till 
Of rapid coming of the foe, 
Was not without foundation. 
And also says that even now 
His force does number thousands, 
With more yet on the way to join him; 
And that tlic lion doth his mane, too, shake, 
And in his growls arc mingled threats 
Of flight by us, or slaughter. 
What say you \ 

Shall we thus his gage take up, 
And waiting here, prepare to meet him \ 
Or shall we, while we yet have time, 
Before his coming, fly \ 

| Turning (<> Bowie.] 
What say you. Colonel \ 



46 The Capture of the Alamo. 



BOWIE. 

My fractured limb, with bones unknit, 
And, therefore, lack of power of motion. 
Unfits me quite, by force of arms, 
Such threat to bring to naught; 
But, what of power or skill I have, 
'Tis yet my will to consecrate, 
And I would counsel, not to fly, 
But here prepare to meet him. 

TRAVIS. 

What is the counsel Crockett gives? 

Is it, the " dogs of war let slip;" 

And as, when in his native wilds, 

The game to put at bay \ 

Or does he counsel, that with leash in hand, 

We do retrace the trail we came, 

And leave the foe the field? 

CROCKETT. 

Old Towser never yet gave false alarm. 

And when he opened on ther track 

We know'd ther game war thar. 

And when they came in at ther death, 

The nabers allers found 

That Crockett, too, war thai-; 

And since ther scout, like Towser, tells 

That now the game ar thar, 

No coward thort shall make him fear 

Ter meet ther lion in ther way. 



The Capture of the Alamo. 47 

TRAVIS. 

To counsel farther, there's no need. 
Since it is plain, we're all agreed, 
And to at once, to perfect plans. 
That we may here resist the foe, 
'Tis meet we should dispatches send 
To those, our chiefs, for so much aid 
As they may have to send to us ; 
Which by swift courier we will do. 



ACT III. 

Scene I. — Gen. (Iaona's quarters at San An- 
tonio. Mrs. G. arranging arricles upon a table. 

[Enter Santa Anna.'] 

SANTA ANNA. 

'Tis my good fortune thus to find you. 
As I purposed, and alone. 

MRS. GAONA. 

Pray, to what saint does thanks belong 
For this, thy coming % 

SANTA ANNA. 

The clinging vine to sturdy oak 
Does no more seek for there a stay 
Than man his heart to woman brings, 
For sharer in its burdens. 

MRS. GAONA. 

Like fledgling in the downy nest. 
That heeds the parent's call. 
To its accustomed food receive. 
So I, with waiting ears, respond 
To your proposed recital. 



The Capture of the Alamo. 49 

SANTA ANNA. 

Shall I the world's forced rules so honor 

As that I shall make a demand 

Of this small handful here of men 

That they shall unto me surrender % 

Such "Gringo Dogs" deserve not such 

High honors thus, at hands of mine ; 

But nay, I may not well bring down 

Upon my head one blow e'en yet. 

I fear the time is not quite here 

When I the world may disregard ; 

And therefore, I would council hold, 

With those around me, 

That I, at least with seeming, may 

Submit somewhat unto their will. 

What ! does your woman's wit, too, sanction 

Such, ray purpose ? 

MRS. GAONA. 

The eagle, as he soars aloft, 

With anxious gaze doth scan 

The earth, spread out thus to his gaze, 

To see thereon his prey ; 

But only when he feels 'tis sure 

Will he descent upon it make. 

SANTA ANNA. 
Ah! Then you'd have me council call? 

MRS. GAONA. 
As you do fear, the time's not here 
To place your will 'gainst all the world. 
You have yourself made such decision. 



50 The Capture of the Alamo. 



SANTA ANNA. 

I illy brook this, my restraint. 
Which I have forced upon myself. 
As born in me of prudence. 
But it shall be but for a season, 
For soon I'll burst its bonds, 
And give free rein unto my will. 
But Cor the present, I'll obey 
This self-imposed restraint, 
And council call. 

\_Exit Santa Anna.] 

MRS. GAONA. 
Is this the road that ever leads 
To such, ambition's height? 
And can vain man, with e'en his greeds, 
E'er tread it with delight? 
Arc not the steeps, o'er which to tread, 
With so much danger fraught 2 
Though gaining goal, to which he's led, 
Is not the height too dearly sought? 
And then, when grasping in his hand. 
The prize by him thus won, 
He finds not spot secure to stand. 
But must the race still onward run. 
Then, who would wisli to play such part? 
Or sock to tyrant be ( 
Ah! None but such as have a heart 
From milk of human kindness free. 

Scene II.— Santa Anna's quarters at San 
Antonio, with scats arranged for holding a coun- 
cil; present, Santa Anna. 



The Capture of the Alamo. 51 

SANTA ANNA. 

Aye ! Prithee now if she the one, 

Oi all the world, I've dared to trust. 

Should recreant prove, and me expose? 

But then, the point 'tis guarded well; 

She could alone, Tier word, then place 

Within the scale, beside my own. 

But, pshaw ! what thought is this obtrudes 

To thus disquiet \ 

Would not the nation laugh to scorn 

Such speech, but yet half uttered \ 

But here they come, and now, once more, 

My struggling pride be still. 

The days of thy forced surveilance 

Shall soon be passed. 

[Enter Felisola,Gaona, Sesma, Almonte and Cos] 

SANTA ANNA. 
It is my will, as doubtless hath 
Been unto each of you conveyed, 
To council hold here at this hour, 
As to the course I shall pursue 
Towards the foe. 

Who does himself, within those walls, 
With arrogance, now dare set up 
The rights of Christian warfare. 
For with decree, from supreme power, (a) 
They should be treated as but pirates, 
And should be hanged 
Without the rights, e'en of the church. 
What say you? Shall I then extend 
Unto them what the world does claim 



52 The Capture of the Alamo. 

To be their due in warfare ? 

Or shall they, by our own decree, 

Be brought unto its bar ? 

[Turn in (/ to Felisola.] 
What say you, General ? 

FELISOLA. 

'Tis but to answer to your will, 

That I would essay now to speak, 

And would concur in what you say 

In so far as to what you've said 

As to that one inherent right, 

That we would have 

To them to treat, as being bound by that decree 

Which our own nation's sovereign power 

Has deemed it fit. 

By their own will to promulgate. 

But, as this council you have called, 

Does seeming right unto them give, 

At least within your own great mind, 

Else council would not thus be called, 

A due regard for such might say 

That prudence is the better way; 

And since no harm can to our cause 

From such delay, at least, arise, 

T counsel give that Ave obey 

The rule the world has given us, 

And send a flag, with a demand 

They do ;it once surrender. 

SANTA ANNA. 

Would others speak, or is the sense 
Already readied of what you'd say ( 



The Capture of the Alamo. 53 



And shall I send in a demand 

That they to me shall thus surrender ? 

GENERAL GAONA. 

If council hath by you been called 
To pass upon these rebels' rights, 
I counsel that they've ready passed 
Beyond all claim the world does place 
Within the scale that justice holds, 
When in dehance of the will 
The nation has at large expressed, 
They would their own small wills set up, 
And then demand their recognition. (Jc) 
And I would, therefore, hold them subject 
To the force of that decree. 
Such is my counsel. 

SANTA ANNA. 

If none do farther wish to speak. 

And it be left with me to say, 

The wise suggestion that was made, 

That we shall lose not by delay, 

And farther yet, that two sides are, 

Or have been made by me, to it, 

I therefore will that there be sent 

A flag, with bearer of demand 

For unreserved and full surrender, (I) 

And let it so, at once, be done. 

And send a copy, too, along, of that decree, 

That they be made to understand 

That what they choose to disregard 

Is clothed with power, yet, in the land. 



54 The Capture of the Alamo. 



Scene III. — Travis' quarters. Travis seated 
at a table. 

[Enter Crockett as Officer of the Day.] 

CROCKETT. 

Wall, Kernel, what does yer think ? 

Arter I had put ther boys out on stake-rope, 

As these 'ere chaps outen 'ere carls it, 

But we'uns carls it picketern, in old Tennersee, 

They hollered ter me ter cum thar, 

And when I got thar, what der yer think I 
found thar ? 

Why, Kernel, it war one o' them blasted 
Greaser chaps, 

Carry in' a stik with er white rag on it. (I) 

And when I axed him what he wanted thar, 

He said he wanted ter see ther feller 

What war bossin' this 'ere layout ; 

And I torld him I war bossin' ther job 

Jist then myself, I war ; 

And yer had orter have seed him look at me, 
Kernel, 

As much as ter say : 

"I ar not lookin' fer your sort." 

And then he said he war wantin' ter see ther 
big boss ; 

And what der yer think I torld him then, -Ker- 
nel? 

Why, I torld him I reck'ned as how 

Yer had sumthin' else ter do 

Bersides list'nin' ter ther gab o' chaps o' his 
sort, 

But if he had anerthing ter say 

Ter us fellers over har, he could say rite on, 



The Capture of the Alamo. ^ 



As I reck'ned I could stand ter listen ter tlier 

stuff 
He war wantin' ter get through him. 
And, arter that, he opened ther kivers ter his 

bread basket, 
And he got throo him that old San ter Aimer 

had torld him 
Ter cum rite over liar, and tell arl us coons 
Ter cum right down outen ther tree, ter onct, 
Or he would do, as my old friend, Captain 

Scott, o 1 Varmount, 
Usenter do, jist grin us down ; 
And I tell yer, Kernel, 
The Captain allers brot 'em, when he tuk a 

sot at 'em. 
And what does yer think, Kernel, I torld him ? 
Why, I torld him jist what I torld 
My old nabers, in Tennersee, 
When ther wouldn't send me hack ter Wash- 

inton : 
That ter tell old Santer that he might go ter — 
Wall, its ther bad place, yer knows, Kernel — 
That as fer me, I war one coon 
That war not cumin 1 down 
Outen ther tree fer sich chaps as him. 
That so far as I war concarned, if he wanted me 
He would have ter cum over har and take me. 
As fer ther rest o' yer fellers, 
If yer wanted ter cum down, 
And sneak over thar, like whipped dorgs, 
Yer mite do it ; but as fer me, 
I war n't gwine ter do it, fer sich chaps as him. 
Ner a hundred more like him, so I war n't. 



56 The Capture of the Alamo. 

Wall, what der yer think he said then, Kernel ? 

Why, he said I orter to cum over 

And tell yer 'bout it, anerhow. 

So I torld him I would do that much 

Fer old Santer, anerhow, 

As I never seed an old, broken down, 

And superannerated coon dorg, 

But what war good for sumthin', 

If it war only ter eat up 

Ther old scraps lyin' round like ; 

And I thort, maber so, old Santer 

War as good as one o' them ; 

And he said, " much obliged," 

Or sumthin 1 like it, 

And I left, and cum rite off liar, 

And now I ar liar, Kernel ; 

And if yer got anerthing to say, 

Its yer say, Kernel. 

TRAVIS. 
Well, Colonel, I guess in your way, 
You represented the sentiments of us all, 
And if he didn't understand it, 
He will soon do so, as it is my orders 
That a single shot be tired (I) 
In the direction of Santa Anna's quarters. 
That is all the answer I have to make 
To his demand ; and you will see 
That the order is complied with. 

CROCKETT. 
Yer bet yer bottom dollar, Kernel, 
IT1 see that ar thing done ; 
And, blast his old hide, 



The Capture of the Alamo. 57 

If I could knock ther hind sites offen him, 

With that ar ball, I should be monstrous glad, 

Now mind I tell yer, Kernel. 

Good day, Kernel. 

[Crockett turns to go, but puts his hand in the 
bosom of his hunting shirt, and turns quickly 
around, having in his hand a paper, and says :] 

Blast my buttons, Kernel, 

But I cum near fergettin' this 'ere thing, 

I had stuk in my bosom fer safe keepin', 

As that ar Greaser chap said ter gin it ter yer, 

As it mout be of some use ter yer ; 

So, liar it ar, Kernel, maber so, 

Yer can do sumthin 1 with it. 

[Saying which, he hands to Travis, who takes 
and looks at it, and says :] 

TRAVIS. 
Hah ! That foul decree, 
And to be treated but as pirates ; 
Such is its terms. 

And does he think to frighten us to terms, 
By sending this along with his demand. 
[Crushing the paper in his hand, he extends 
toward Crockett.'] 

Here, put it in the cannon's month, 
And let the powder, 

That shall take unto his ears our answer, 
Also take unto him this, his argument, 
With which lie would enforcement make 
Of his demand. 

[Crockett takes and looking at it.] 



58 The Capture of the Alamo. 

CROCKETT. 

Does yer wish that this 'ere be made patchin uv 
Fer ther ball, Kernel ? If that's what yer wants, 
Yer bet. Kernel, Betsy here 

[Holding up his rifle.'] 
Can send it ter him as strate as a die, Kernel. 
Yer see she war gin ter me, 
As yer knows, Kernel, 
By them fellers in Philerdelpher thar, 
When I war makin' ther tower 
O' them ar Northern States, as one o' them 
Honorable members from Tennersee ; 
And yer had or ter have hearn me speechilien 

ter ? em, 
So yer had ort, Kernel, 
When ther gin her ter me, 
And yer bet. Kernel, I ar killed many a bar 

with her, too. 
And, as I war sayin' ter yer, 
If yer wants this 'ere made patchin uv. 
And sent back ter old Santer, 
Yer bet, Kernel, Betsy's what can do it ; 
And if yer'll jist say ther word, 
I'll put it right dab in, now, 
And if he'll show a patch o' his old carcass 
As big as a squirrel's ear, blast me 
If I don't put ther ball rite dab thar, 
Patchin' and all, so I will, Kernel. 

TRAVIS. 

Well, Colonel, you can either put it in the 

cannon's mouth, 
Or use it for patching for Betsy, as you like. 



The Capture of the Alamo. 59 

As for the effect he hoped for in sending it here, 

He has counted without his host this time ; 

And as before ordered, you will see 

That the single shot is fired 

In the direction of his quarters, 

As all the answer I have still to give 

To his demand. 

CROCKETT. 
Yer bet, Kernel, I'll see that ar thing done. 
Now, good day, Kernel. 

Scene IV. — Santa Anna's quarters ; present, 
Santa Anna and Felisola. 

[Enter Officer, with flag.'] 

SANTA ANNA. 
\Vhat say the rebel dogs ? 
Dost cringe before my power, like spaniels 

whipped ? 
Or is their rebel flag pulled down, 
And have they opened wide their gates. 
That I may enter in, 
And make my victory sure ? 

OFFICER. 
Did'st hear that cannon's sound ? 
'Twas one of bold defiance sent, 
The only answer they would give 
To your demand. (I) 

SANTA ANNA. 

Hah ! By the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Our 

Lord, 
Their hearts shall quake, their hands shall pall, 



60 The Capture of the Alamo. 

Before my power, yet. 

Here, see you to it, 

That the red flag's run high up, (e) 

Upon the church's dome, (q) 

Where all may see it, and may know 

That none, who thus my power brook, 

Shall quarter have. 

[Exit Officer.] 
That blood red (lag, I never ran 

Upon its staff on high, 

But some foul, traitorous blood was spilled, 

To mark its stains with deeper d\r\ 

And, lest the Virgin lias withdrawn 

Her favors far from me. 

These traitors' blood before the dawn 

Shall to its crimson added he; 

| Turn in (/ to Felisola.'] 
And let the bugle sound, 
To call the troops from quarters, 
And have the fight begin, and make advance, 
As best we may, to reach the walls in safety. (I) 

[Exit Felisola.'] 
And shall I to her presence go ( 
Who has so much of magic power, 
That e'en ambition folds its wings, 
\\u\ treads with soft and silent step, 
Within my heart, whilst she is near? 
And my strong will does sway and bend, 
Like tender stem, of spring time flower, 
When touched, by passing zephyr's breath, 
As her soft voice, in warning strikes my ear; 
And 1 do then forget myself. 
And my high aims, ambition's goal ; 



The Capture of the Alamo. 61 

A\\(\ if T<1 follow where 'twould Lead, 

I'd sink to plane of other men, 

Who are mere plodders in life's way. 

And yet, so pleasing is the sense, 

That though, Like fowler's net, 

With meshes strong, 

It may me hold secure as prey. 

] slum it not, but to her go, 

And there again, I'll wend my way, 

.\s T do need that magic power 

To rid me of this eholer ; 

And yet, I must from tier still keep 

The knowledge that she holds such power, 

Lest a, Delilah, she may be. 

And I be made a Samson shorn. 

Scene V. — Gren. Gaona's quarters; present, 

Mrs. GrAONA. 

| Enter Santa Anna.] 
MRS. GAONA. 

What impulse brings you now to me? 
Methinks your noble visage bears 
Too plainly marks of anger. 

SANTA ANNA. 
Heed not that angry Hush on brow, 
It bodes no ill to you; 
But rather temper now your speech 
To drive that wrath away. 

MRS. GAONA. 
Pray, then, reveal the moving cause 
For this, your shaded brow ; 



62 The Capture of the Alamo. 

Aye, who so bold as but to dare 

To give just cause for bringing there. 

SANTA ANNA. 
That traitor baud within those walls, 
The cause most just then gave, 
When that defiant shot they sent, 
As all the answer they would give 
To my humane demand. 

MRS. GAONA. 
Hah! What is this I hear? 
What form of message did you send, 
They thus did dare to spurn? 

SANTA ANNA. 
•Twas such as that the world prescribes 
'Tis meet to make by foe to foe, 
When asking for surrender. 

MRS. GAONA. 
What terms did'st make you, in your offer? 

SANTA ANNA. 
Much better, e'en, thru they deserve, 
As they did lack c< nditians ; 
Whereas there should have gone with them 
Some stringent form of penalty. 

MRS. GAONA. 
But if obeying your demand, what then? 

SANTA ANNA. 
Their Lives would then be at my mercy. 

MRS. GAONA. 
Which, of a generous impulse born, you'd spare? 



The Capture of the Alamo. 63 



SANTA ANNA. 

Nay. press me not, since what they've don.' 
Puts all beyond contingencies, 
And they the issue mnst abide. 

MRS. GAONA. 

Which you will cast in mercy's mould. 
If you obtain the Virgin's favor. 

SANTA ANNA. 

'Tis not the Virgin, but the fate of war. 
That holds now poised the issue. 

MRS. GAONA. 

And what does then the fate of war demand. 
If you the victor \ 

SANTA ANNA. 

If captured, then, to be all slain, 
Such are the terms of this, our warfare. 

MRS. GAONA. 

Then, why be angered by refusal. 
If there conies at best but forfeit; 
And they, knowing such the terms, 
Is it not far too much to look for, 
That they'll yield without a struggle. 

SANTA ANNA. 

Then, that struggle they shall have 
With such results as follow it; 
And I must haste, and be away, 
To press the battle I have ordered. 

{Exit Santa Anna.] 



64 The Capture of the Alamo. 



MRS. GAONA. 

O ! Virgin Mother ! Shield the brave, 
Who battle for the right, 
'Gainst such, ambition's wrong 
And I must, too, away, 
To see what may be done, 
If aught, to give them succor 



i & i 



ACT IV 



Scene I. — Travis' quarters ; present, Crock- 
ett, Evans, Dickinson and Bowie, the latter on 

his cot. 

TRAVIS. 

Companions in arms, I have called you to- 
gether in council, 
As our straitened circumstances seem to de- 
mand it; 
The foe has been gradually drawing closer 

upon us. 
They have their batteries placed — one at the 

bridge, (m) 
One on the Alamo ditch, to the northeast, 
One at the powder-house. 
And one at the old mill ; 
And we have, as you know, sustained 
An uninterrupted bombardment, 
For the last twenty -four hours; (m) 
But, thank God, we have not lost a man, 
And the flag of our country still proudly waves 
Where we ourselves have placed it; 
And while, like the noble 300 at Thermopylae, 
We have thrown ourselves into the breach, 
For our country's cause, and, like them, 
We may all, too, perish; 
Yet, it would be worse than cowardly, 



66 The Capture of the Alamo. 

Not to struggle to the last ; 
I have dispatched Bonham 
To Fannin, at Goliad, for assistance; (n) 
I have sent urgent appeals 
To those in authority over us. 
Through these sources, succor may reach us yet, 
But to ourselves we must at present look, 
For possible prospects of deliverance, 
And it is that we may make what may be to us 
Our final and last arrangements for defence, 
That this conference is called, 
As we know not how soon the foe 
May make an assault which may be successful, 
Then, what we do must be done quickly ; 
As you know, our supply of provisions, 
And much more, our ammunition, (q) 
Is fast dwindling away ; 
And if an assult is made, 
We have scarcely enough of the latter 
To carry us through successfully 
For the space of one day only, 
If all our forces should be engaged therein. 
Under this state of affairs, 
What is the best to be done, is the question 
For us to settle ; 
. And what says Colonel Crockett? 

CROCKETT. 

Wall, now, Kernel, my old friend, Captain 

Scott, o' Varmount — 
Perhaps you've hearn of him, Kernel — 
Wall, he allers said "whar thar's life, thar's 

hope," 



The Capture of the Alamo. 67 



And I, fer one, don't feel at arl 
Like givin' up this liar hunt; 
JN T o, Kernel, I cum liar ter see it out, 
And I'm gwine ter stik ter yer 
Till ther last, day in ther mornin', 
And when ther last rooster's done his crowin', 
Then I intend ter be thar, 
Armed and equipped accordm' ter law. 
As ther usenter have us ter do 
When we war musterin' 
In ther merlisher, in old Tennersee ; 
But them good old days 
Am passed and gone, Kernel, 
And, as ther poeter says. 

We'll pass 'em by without ther sound o' a drum . 
I must say, Kernel, yer speech lias tuk 
Arl the tine speechincation outen me, 
But I 'aint er gwine ter give it up so, Mister 
Brown ; 

No I 'aint, Kernel, and I'll wind up my speech 
By sayin' ter yer. and arl ther boys, 
That old Davy Crockett will stick ter yer 
As long as thar's a button on his old jenes coat. 

[Looking at and taking hold of his hunting 

shirt.] 

Wall, Kernel, that's what I usenter say, 
When I war speechiiien in congress, yer see, 
As that ar war ther kind I wore thar, 
But this liar ar nutliiu but my old liuntin' shirt 
Tied up with strings, with nary a button on it, 

Kernel, 
But never mind, Kernel, 



68 The Capture of the Alamo. • 

I'll stik ter yer all ther same, 

So help me Moses, and that's ther same 
As our Masonicer friends says 
When they says " so mote it be." 

MAJOR EVANS. 
As the chief of ordnance, 
It is proper, perhaps, I should say to you 
That one reason of the scarcity 
Of our supply of ammunition, 
Was occasioned by there having been 
A large part of the powder in the magazine 
Damaged, from its leaky condition, (o) 

CROCKETT. 

That's it, Kernel, now I has it; 

Yer see, if these 'ere blasted Greasers 

Do cum hoopin' on ter us, 

So as thar 's no show fer a far lite, 

Then let us stik a coal of fire 

Rite dab inter that ar blasted old powder, 

And blow 'em all to whar I torld my nabers 

They might go ter when I cum ter Texas ; 

And if yer' 11 jist say ther word, Kernel, 

Blast me, if I don't blow 'em higher ner a kite, 

In less time than they could say Jack Rober- 

son twice ; 
Thar now, Kernel, that's my say agin. 

TRAVIS. 

AVell, Colonel, your suggestion is a very good 

one, so far as it goes, 
And if it be decreed that we shall be overcome, 
I will take with you all this pledge : 



The Capture of the Alamo. 69 

That whoever may be left with strength and 

opportunity, 
Shall touch off that powder, and by its explosion 
Blow these glorious old walls down 
Upon the heads of the foe. (0) 

CROCKETT. 

Blast me, if them 'aint my sentiments, 'zactly, 
Kernel. 

TRAVIS. 

And what say the rest ? 

CROCKETT. 
O, don't ax 'em Kernel, fer yer knows 
Thar 'aint one o 5 arl ther boys as would'nt glory 
Ter see old Santer and arl his blasted pack 
Flyin' higher nor Hamer — that ar feller 
It tells erbont in ther good book, yer knows, 

Kernel, — 
And IT1 bet my bottom dollar thar's not one 

on 'em 
Would ever git to that ar good place, 
In goin'that ar way, neither ; 
And that's my say, agin, Kernel. 

TRAVIS. 

Well, let that be the pledge of ail ; (0) 

And in order to make, as I have decided to do, 

One last appeal and call 

Upon the outside world for immediate aid, 

I will dissolve the council, 

And retire to my room for that purpose. 

[A scene is drawn, showing a room, into which 
Travis enters and picks up some papers lying on 
the table.'] 



70 The Capture of the Alamo. 

TRAVIS. 
I had finished this before calling the council, 
But lest I omitted something I should say, 
I will read it over. 

[Beads.] 
" Fellow citizens and compatriots : (p) 
I am besieged by a thousand, or more, 
Of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. 
I have sustained a continuous bombardment 
For twenty-four hours, 
And have not lost a man. 
The enemy have demanded a surrender at 

discretion, 
Otherwise the garrison is to be put to the sword, 
If the place is taken. 
I have answered the summons with a cannon 

shot, 
And our fiag still waves proudly from our walls; 
I shall never surrender, or retreat. 
Then, I call on yon in the name of Liberty, of 

Patriotism, 
And everything dear to the American character, 
To come to our aid with all dispatch. 
The enemy are receiving reinforcements daily, 
And will no doubt increase 
To three or four thousand in four or five days. 
Though this call may be neglected, 
I am determined to sustain myself 
As long as possible, 

And die like a soldier, who never forgets 
What is due to his own honor, 
And that of his country — 
Victory, or death /" 



The Capture of the Alamo. 71 



And this I've added, by way of postscript : 

" The Lord is on our side. 

"When the enemy appeared in sight, 

We had not three bushels of corn ; 

We have since found, in deserted houses 

Eighty or ninety bushels, 

And gotten into the walls 

Twenty or thirty head of beeves." 

And this I must, with all dispatch, 

Send off unto our friends ; 

But on their failure to respond, what then \ 

This now our foe, with o'erwhelming force, 

And come, as he has done, to place 

The last strong chain upon the nation. 

Does, with bold arrogance, demand 

That we surrender at discretion ; 

And which refused, he still by force 

Would make us it obey ; 

And armed, too, with that foul decree, 

Which he his pliant congress made 

Through forms alone of law, 

Bear impress of their sanction, 

And what would such surrender be, 

But death or slavery f 

For but as pirates, as decreed, 

With one so base to it enforce, 

What hope have we for quarter ? 

The lamb from wolf might better look 

For freedom and security. 

No, our purpose taken, 

We'll here abide the issue of the contest, (r) 

And my own heart I must relieve 



T2 The Capture of the Alamo. 

By making some provision for my boy. 
I have a friend in Washington, 
To whom I will this note dispatch, 
Which let me read, since I penned it 
With so much then of feeling, 
I know not if it does contain 
What I then meant to say. 

\_He reads.'] 
" Take care of my little boy ; (q) 
If the country should be saved, 
I may make him a splendid fortune ; 
But if the country should be lost, 
And I should perish, 
He will have nothing 
But the proud recollection 
That he is the son of a man 
Who died for his country;" 

[Folding the papers.] 
And I must these dispatches place, 
Within some trusty hand, 
To have them reach their destination. 

Scene II. — Santa Anna's quarters ; a table, 
with a drum upon it ; Santa Anna walking back 
and forth; time, late in the evenhur. 

SANTA ANNA. 
I do so chafe, from this restraint of mine, 
That I do fear me. 
Like the bit to horse's mouth, 
It will my spirit make so callous, 
I'll ne'er again feel tender touch 
With which to guide me 



The Capture of the Alamo. 73 

To ambition's height. 

See how that small, defiant band, 

Cooped up by my vast force, 

Within those walls of stone, 

Doth check ambition's flight. 

For they alone my way hedge up, 

And but for them 

My rule would be supreme ; 

Why, then, do I so tamely yield 

To this, my self-imposed restraint ; 

For what, save my own will, prevents me now 

From crushing out by force 

This barrier in my way ? 

But prudence, ah ! thou dost for aye, 

Thy silent whisp'rings bid me hear ; 

And hearing, I have heeded now, 

'Till patience hath of woof so small 

That it is threadbare. 

And yet, one effort more I'll make 

To calm thy clamors, 

And will a council call, 

That I may its poor sanction have 

For what I might without it do — 

This one obstruction here remove 

To my ambition. 

Then, I will strike, and orders give 

To have the council called. 

[He strikes the drum, and a sentinel enters.] 
The members summon here forthwith, 
That form my council ; 
And bid them come without delay, 
As I have business urgent. [Exit Sentinel.] 



74 The Capture of the Alamo. 

All ! With myself to hold commune, 
And fathom all the depths to which 
This degredation leads me, 
And then to soar to where I'd rise 
By height of my ambition ; 
'Tis more of strain than long I'll bear, 
This is m}^ last submission. 
[Enter Felisola, Cos, Castritton, Ramirez. 
Sesma and Almonta.] 

SANTA ANNA. 
A task imposed, a burden laid, 
Is this my call upon you, 
Since but to sanction what is plain 
My duty bids that I should do, 
I've called you thus together. 
Those rebels, as you are aware, 
'Their lives did then there forfeit 
By that defiant answer sent 
From cannon's mouth to my demand ; 
And what doth hindrance make that I 
Should pour my force upon them, 
And like the Red Sea, as of old, 
Their force o'erwhelm and swallow up ? 
Should mingling streams of blood deter 
Of victors and the vanquished slain ? 
What flower upon the earth does bloom. 
But owes its life to some decay ; 
And where has yet there been e'er reared 
A power to rule o'er man's estate 
Except that blood to it was brought 
A holocaust, or sacrifice? 
But as before I did submit 



The Capture of the Alamo. 75 



To you, as council, what to do, 

I have it deemed still best of you 

To ask what shall by me be done. 

Shall I assail by bold assault, 

Or shall I by degrees approach \ 

What say you all ? 

Those who the first to counsel would, 

Their places take here, on my right ; 

And they the other would approve, 

Their places take upon my left. 

[They divide, with Ramirez, Sesma and Al- 
monta on the right, and Felisola, Cos and Cas- 
trillon on the left.] 

SANTA ANNA. 

'Tis well the council so divides, (s) 
Decision yet with me remains, 
And I will, ere the morrow dawns, 
My own decision then have made; 
And to your stations you may go, 
And there await the coming morn, 
As it shall to you then reveal my will. 

[Exit all but Santa Anna.] 
O, fate ! O, providence, or whatsoe'er thou art, 
That dost our destinies control, 
To thee I here would pay my court, 
And pray thee be propitious ; 
The sun's bright ray that first shall cast 
His beams athwart yon eastern sky, 
Shall bear a message unto me, 
To build ambition's hopes upon, 
Or bear them down to earth, 



76 The Capture of the Alamo. 

As I the gage of battle will 

Ere that have full thrown down ; (t) 

And on the issue hangs my fate 

To be a ruler over all, 

Or menial be to strong. restraint ; 

And I must to her once more go, 

And carry this, my burden. 

Scene III. — Gen. Gaona's quarters; present, 
Mrs. Gaona. [Enter Santa Anna.] 

MRS. GAONA. 
What ! The honor do you seek, 
To thus upon me now confer ; 
Or what the burden would you lighten 
By this coming of yours here. 

SANTA ANNA. 
Like the shadows that are falling, 
Bringing on the night, now near. 
The veil that is the future hiding, 
Does obstruct our anxious peer. 
The will hath gained my purpose over 
To the foe at once assault. 
And I the plan to you uncover, 
To approve, or yet rind fault ; 
Since, perforce by wisdom, woman 
Does the future oft reveal, 
And if it be not from you hidden, 
I pray you not from me conceal; 
Since my council called divided, 
And decision left to me, 
I to make assault, decided, 
Would vour counsel thus, too, be ? 



The Capture of the Alamo. 11 

MRS. GAONA. 
The zephyr's breath soft whisp'ring sounds, 
From forest leaves, do oft us bring, 
But when the thunder clap resounds, 
The very vaults of Heaven ring ; 
And shall the still, small voice be heard, 
From woman's cautious counsel given ; 
What to ambition's ears her word, 
Though it convey the will of Heaven. 

SANTA ANNA. 
Hah ! Would you have my hand to stay 
From shedding those foul traitors' blood ; 
Or, do you counsel- better way 
Than by assault to be, there would ? 

MRS. GAONA. 
Nay ; I no counsel would you give ; 
I did but answer to your will. 
For what we do ourselves believe, 
Though counsel 'gainst, we hold, too, still. 

SANTA ANNA. 
Then it is fixed, the purpose formed, 
And in the coming dawn they'll see 
Their boasted shield of stone walls stormed 
By cannon and with infantry, it) 

[Exit Santa Anna."] 

MRS. GAONA. 
Ah, well I knew, his purpose fixed, 
'Twould folly be to say him nay ; 
And I will haste and them apprise 
Of what awaits them in the morn. 



78 The Capture of the Alamo. 

Scene IV. — Storming of the Alamo, with noise 
of the battle outside. The two Mexican women 
hurry on to the stage, accompanied by Mrs. 
Gaona dressed in male attire, and when the two 
enter a door (which should represent the entrance 
to one of the cells in the wall) and it is closed 
behind them, Mrs. Gaona takes from her pocket 
the necessary badges to complete a Colonel's 
uniform, and attaches them to the suit she has 
on, then she draws out a sword she had con- 
cealed on her person.] 

MRS. GAONA. 

These will serve to shield me from detection. 
And I must see what can be done, if aught, 
To serve them. 

[Exit Mrs. Gaona.] 

[As soon as she is off the stage, Trams^ negro 
servant comes running on, and, looking wildly, 
runs around upon the stage.'] 

SERVANT. 

O, Massa Travis ! Massa Travis ! Massa Travis ! 

They have killed Massa Travis, 

And they will kill me ; 

Whar shall I go? Whar shall I go \ 

What shall I do ? What shall I do ? 

[At which time he comes opposite the door 
through which the Mexican women entered, who 
ha ring opened it, he darts in, and it is closed be- 
hind him. Mrs. Dickinson then comes running 
on, carrying her child.'] 




STORMING OF THE ALAMO. 



The Capture of the Alamo. 81 

MRS. DICKINSON. 

O, my God ! what shall I do % 
They have gotten over the wall ; 
They are killing the men — 
They will kill my husband ! 
They will kill us all. 
O, my child, my child, 
What shall I do ? What shall I do \ 
O, God, have mercy upon us. 

[ The two Mexican women rush out and drag 
her in and close the door behind them, (n) A 
scene is then drawn, showing Bowie on his cot, 
resting half reclining, supported on his left 
elbow, with an empty pistol in his right hand ', 
which he throws away and lies down on his cot, 
when two Mexicans with fixed bayonets approach 
and are in the act of thrusting tit cm into him, 
when Mrs. Gaona, in her Colonel's uniform 
comes up, and throws up their guns with her 
sword.] 

MRS. GAONA. 

Hold, there, ye craven coward dogs, 
Would you dare strike a foe unarmed, 
You'd put the savage beasts to shame, 
That spare the sick and wounded prey. 
Begone, ye cowards ! Off! Away ! 
And seek a stalwart foe, 
With strength of arm, backed by a will, 
To pit against your own. 

[Enter Santa Anna.] 



82 The Capture of the Alamo. 

SANTA ANNA. 

Hall ! What have we here ? 

Who is so hold, as by command to dare 

To supreme orders disobey, 

And e'en one traitor's life to spare ? 
[Turning to Soldiers.] 

This Gringo dog at once dispatch, 

And supreme orders thus obey. 

[They thrust their bayonets into Bowie, and 
Santa Anna, turning to Mrs. Gaona, says to 
soldiers.] 

And, here, this traitor closely guard, 

And to the guard house take 

To for this daring act he's done, 

To answer a court martial. 

[They start off with her one way, and Santa 
Anna goes another. A scene is then drawn, 
showing a room, which should represent the mag- 
azine, with a pile of old powder in view, into 
which Evans enters.] 

MAJOR EVANS. 
And, is it true the rest have fallen, 
And I have been by Heaven spared, 
To here redeem the pledge as given, 
And vengeance take upon the foe ? 
The noble Travis, as he manned the gun, 
Upon the western wall, 
To thus relieve the exhausted men, 
Received the deadly shot, and there expired ; 
And, as we came upon the wall, 
To repel the invading host, 



The Capture of the Alamo. 83 



Where they pressed on as the hardest, 

The gallant Boniiam and Dickinson 

Fell before their murderous fire ; 

And as I came hither, 

I passed Bowie on his cot, with Life extinct, 

And Crockett, I know not of him. ; 

But if fallen, he lias not spared the foe, 

But has demanded life for life, by many fold; 

And those, our other comrades in arms, 

All, all, have given their lives for their country. 

A noble band of martyrs ! Oh, sacred Alamo, 

Thou shaltgo down in history with Thermopylae 

[He hears a noise from without.'] 
Hah ! Hear how they yet pour in. 
Like beasts of prey around their victims, 
When the scent of blood is wafted on the breeze, 
But now they shall themselves be made the 

victims, 
As vengeance shall be meted out to them, 
Since Providence does will it so. 

[Turning to the pile of old powder. \ 
And thou trash ! Thou more than trash ! 
For thou didst mock us, 
When we would have loaded thee within our 

guns ; 
But now, thou shalt be made a Samson of, 
To bring these glorious old walls all down 
Upon the heads of these Philistian foes of Texas 
And oh, thou sacred Alamo ! 
That thou shouldst be made a heap of ruins, 
And I, even I, the Heaven favored one, 
To make thee so. 



84 The Capture of the Alamo . 

And come, ye spirits of my dead comrades, 
And witness here the fulfillment of my vow, 
As I shall touch this pile of powder off, 
And thus take vengeance on the foe. 

[He strikes Ms flint and steel, and stoops down 
to put Ms lighted tinder to t7ie powder.] 

O God, receive my spirit ! 

[A shot is fired through the door, and he falls 
away from the powder and a Mexican enters and 
ba go nets him. Another scene is then drawn, 
showing Crockett pursued, by the Mexicans, when 
I<r lakes up a position in the angle of the wall, 
with his back to it, (o) and with his gun clubbed, 
he wields it furiously .] 

CROCKETT. ' 

Bring on yer lioners and tigers, 

Yer cattermounts and allergaters, 

Fer I'm er half hoss and half allergater my- 
self, I ar ; 

Bring on yer sea hoss, yer red hoss, and yer 
land tarrapin, 

Yer white bar, yer black bar, and yer grizler 
bar, 

Yer big fish, yer leetle fish, and yer whales, 

Yer boer-constricters, yer snap pin' turtles and 
tad poles, 

Yer black-and-tans, yer grey hounds, and yer 
terriers, 

Yer bob-tail cats, yer long- tail cats, and yer 
ring- tail roarers, 

Fer I'm ther he-coon uv ther valle}s. 

And ther she-coon uv ther ridges ; 



The Capture of the Alamo. 85 



I'm ther old eriginal zip-coon, 

And that uther coon er sottin' on er rail ; 

And I'm that same old coon 

What allers war er coon, 

And that never got er lickin' till yet. 

[One of them gets up close enough (<> punch Mm.'] 

And that's ther way yer puts in yer licks, ar it? 

[Crockett knocks him down with his gun.] 

And zip I tuk yer, and now pitch in, thar, 

With yer double- shuffle, pigeon-wing, 

And all-fours, too ; 

With yer double-quick, and turn erbout, 

And do jist so. 

With yer whisker-toddies, 

Lemonade and soder- water, too. 

And yer don't know who yer try in' ter lick, 

Now does yer i 

[Another one gets up close enough to stick Mm.] 

Hip, hurra ! now let me see yer try ter do thai 
ar ergin. 

[He knocks him down.] 

Now I haz yer ; zip, I tuk yer. 
Cum on, thar, with yer eaglers, 
And yer ostrichers and buzzards, 
With yer bed-bugs and yer fire hies, 
Yer snakes and yer grass-hoppers. 
Bring all creation with yer, 
And I'll whoop yer up together, 
Like hot soup on er ladle-handle, 
Or a slidin' on greased lightnin ; 



86 The Capture of the Alamo. 

And yer don't know who you're tryin' ter lick 
now, does yer? 

[Another one sticks Mm and he knocks him down] 

Now, hip, hurra! kerzip, yer tuk me ; 
Now I has yer; zip, I tuk yer. 

[Several of them crowd upon htm,.] 

Whoopee, thar; Greenland !*Christmas ! 
Sunday, Monday — any day but this. 

[He knocks another one down.] 

And now yer has it ; zip, I tuk yer. 

[Another one gives him a thrust.] 

Gerusalem, Tom Payne, 
And all ther tother saints! 
And I say, yer don't know who yer tryin 5 ter 
lick now, does yer? 

[He knocks him down.] 

And now yer has it ; zip, I tuk yer. 

Git up thar afore day in ther niorin 1 will yer? 

And wipe out all yer eyes out thar, will yer \ 

[Several of them make a rush at him.] 

Gershoserfat ! and yer don't know 
Who yer tryin' ter lick now, does yer ? 

[Enter Santa Anna.] 

SANTX ANNA. 

Ho, here ! what now? would the lamb the wolf, 
Or kid the lion put to bar ( 
Base, coward wretches, strike I 



The Capture of the Alamo. 87 

Your arms there wield, 
And this last foe despatch, 
That I may rule supreme. 

[Crockett, seeing him come up without any 
arms, and not understanding what he is saying, 
but thinking he wants to take up the fight him- 
self, and not wishing to have the advantage, sets 
his gun down in the corner behind him and puts 
his coon-skin cap beside it, which action throws 
the Mexican soldiers off their guard, as well as 
arrests the attention of Santa Anna. Then 
Crockett begins taking off his hunting -shirt, 
which when done, he rolls up his sleeves, accord- 
ing to the old Tennessee method, and while he is 
doing all this he is going over with : ] 

CROCKETT. 

What's that ar yer gittin' through yer thar, 

old coon ? 
Yer wants ter tuk up this har lite yerself, does 

yer? 
A far and squar fiite — no bitin' ner gougin', 
Ner no dorg falls — then I'm yer man, I ar; 
But maber so, yer don't know 
Who 'tis yer wants ter lick, does- yer? 
Wall, then I'll tell yer. 

It ar old Davy Ckockett, o' Tennersee, it ar. 
And yer wants ter tuk up 
This har lite yerself, does yer '. 

[Then, with a wave of the hand to the others.} 

Thar, Hank 'round thar, little ones. 
And let me pitch inter him 



88 The Capture of the Alamo. 



Like a thousand o 5 brick; 

I'll show an old blab-mouthed blatherskite 

like him 
How ter come 'round liar 
And tuk up uther folks' lites, I will. 
Whoopee, thar! look out thar, old coon, 
Tin a cummin', T ar ! 
\\\(\ now squar yerself, 
Fer kerzip, I'll tuk jrer! 

[He spits on his hinds, and leaps over the 
bodies around him, in the di reel ion of Santa 
Anno, when he is knocked down, by the soldiers, 
and bayoneted.] 







Col. William McLane, 

Who died at his residence, at the head of the San Antonio river, 
adjoining the city limits of San Antonio, Texas, May iith, 1873, 
and who was the last of the Magee expedition, which expedition 
aided materially in securing the freedom of Mexico from Span- 
ish rule, and which ultimately led to the independence of Texas, 
and the account of which expedition, as penned by himself, is 
embodied in a 400-page work now in press hv the San Antonio 
Printing Co., entitled "Irene Viesca, a Talk ok the Magee 
Expkdition, in the Gauchipin War in Texas, in 1812-13;" 
and by the author of the present work. 



APPENDIX. 



Extracts from Yoakum's History of Texas, 



The following extracts are taken from Yoakum's 
History of Texas, and are inserted here with corres- 
ponding reference marks to those employed in the body 
of the work, to show the inquiring reader— who may 
not be familiar with the history, and to save those who 
are, the trouble of hunting them out— the particular 
passages to which the author of the present work is 
indebted for the foundations upon which to construct it. 
And it will be seen that he has followed as closely the 
facts as the nature and scope of the work would war- 
rant. The parts assigned General and Mrs. Gaona 
being the only departures from a strict adherance to the 
actual facts of history. Her part being assigned her to 
meet a general demand for some leading female charac- 
ter in all works of the kind. And while the part assign- 
ed her might have been repugnant to her loyalty to Santa 
Anna, as well as to her womanly modesty, yet, as we 
have taken the liberty we have with her, we can only 
make amend by giving this explanation and offering this 
our suitable apology. The selection of Gen. Gaona 
as a friend of the Texans was not altogether unwarrant- 
ed, from the fact that he disapproved of much that Santa 
Anna did in his dealings with the Texans. 

(a\ In the meantime, Santa Anna was engaged in Mexico 
in the consolidation of a despotism. There were in that nation 
many genuine friends of liberty, ardent supporters of the con- 






92 Appendix. 



stitution of 18-4; but the terrors of banishment and death 
restrained them. Those who dared to oppose him were pursued 
and hunted down, like wild beasts. Of this number were Zavalla 
and Mexia. The congress was completely in his hands. With 
the clergy and the army he fulminated his spiritual and military 
thunders. Over a timid and superstitious people his power had 
become nearly omnipotent. All but Texas had bowed the neck 
to the imperious tyrant. To him she was like ' Mordecai sitting 
in the king's gate.' His plan for her subjugation was, however, 
skilfully laid. It was to fill the country gradually with military 
forces, under different pretences. In fact, five hundred troops 
were embarked for Texas in April of the present year ("1835), but 
disturbances in Zacatecas caused them to be recalled. The time 
which the dictator had fixed for the overthrow of the constitu- 
tion was in the following October. Events had, however, hurried 
him on so rapidly, that he was compelled to change his plan, 
and dispatch troops to Texas more rapidly. In July he accord-, 
ingly sent two hundred and fifty; in the first days of August 
three hundred more; and there were a thousand more on the 
route. — Page 351; Vol. I. 

By the month of August it was clearly understood that the 
federal constitution was to he destroyed. The plan of Toluca — 
countenanced, and perhaps started by Santa Anna — proposed a 
central government. The doctrine had already gone forth that 
the authority of the national congress was unlimited — that it 
could do anything which Santa Anna desired. It was farther 
understood that the president was to hold his office for eight 
years, ami was to have some sort of advisory body, a council or 
congress, but this body was to be dependent on him. — Page 
$$>; Vol.1. 

* * * Santa Anna asked for opium. A piece of about five 
grains was handed him, which he swallowed. He immediately 
proposed to enter into negotiations for his liberation, but Gen- 
eral Houston answered him that it was a subject of which he 
could not take cognizance, inasmuch as Texas had a government 
to which such matters appropriately belonged. Santa Anna ob- 
served that he disliked to have anything to do with civilians; 
that he abhorred them, and would much rather treat with the 
general of the army. "And," continued he, "General, you can 
afford to be generous; you are born to no common destiny — you 
have conquered the Napoleon of the west," * * * General 



Appendix. 93 



Houston then asked him how he expected to negotiate under the 
circumstances that had occurred at the Alamo. Ahout this time 
Colonel Almonte, who had been sent for, arrived, and after salu- 
tations between him and his chief, the latter replied that "Gen- 
eral Houston knew that, by the rules of war, when a fortress, 
insufficient to defend itself, was summoned to surrender and 
refused and caused the effusion of human blood, the vanquished, 
when it was taken, were devoted to execution." General IIous- 
•ton replied that " he knew such to have been the rule at one 
period, but he thought it now obsolete, and a disgrace to the 
nineteenth century." "But," continued Houston, "General Santa 
Anna, you can not urge the same excuse for the massacre at 
Goliad. They capitulated, were betrayed, and massacred in 
cold blood." Santa Anna replied: "If they ever had capitulated 
he was not aware of it. Urrea had deceived him, and informed 
him that they were vanquished; and he had orders from his gov- 
ernment to execute all that were taken with arms in their 
hands." Houston rejoined : "General Santa Anna, you are the 
government — a dictator has no superior." " But," answered 
Santa Anna, " I have the order of our congress to treat all that 
were found with arms in their hands resisting the authority of 
the government, as pirates. And Urrea has deceived me. He 
had no authority to enter into any agreement; and if I ever live 
to regain power he shall be punished for it. — Pages 147, 148 and 
149; Vol. IT. 

(/>) In the meantime, early in July, Lorenzo de Zavalla, 
late governor of the State and City of Mexico, and embassador to 
France, had fled from the tyranny of Santa Anna and sought 
refuge on the shores of Texas. No sooner had the Mexican 
authorities learned this fact than an order was dispatched to have 
him arrested. — Page 344; Vol. I. 

Santa Anna was extremely solicitous to obtain possession of 
the person of Zavalla. The latter had been his friend, and had 
sustained him in a trying hour. But the aid was given for the 
cause of liberty! Santa Anna had deserted that cause, and now 
wished to sacrifice an ancient friend, who might live to reproach 
him for his perfidy. ' I give this supreme order,' says Tornell to 
Cos, 'having the honor to direct to you, requiring you to pro- 
vide and bring into action all your ingenuity and activity in 
arranging energetic plans for success in the apprehension of 
Don Lorenzo Zavalla, which person, in the actual circumstances 



94 Appendix. 



of Texas, must be very pernicious. To this end, I particularly 
recommend that you spare no means to secure his person, and 
place it at the disposition of the supreme government.' Cos, in 
transmitting this order to Ugartachea, on the 8th of August, 
directed him, if Zavalla was not given up, to proceed, at the 
head of all his cavalry, to execute the command, and to give to 
the local authorities on the route, information as to his sole 
object. — Pages 347-348; Vol. I. 

(c) General Santa Anna, the Mexican president, having 
determined to lead the invading army in person, reached Saltillo 
in January, where, for a time, he made his headquarters. On the 
1st of February, he set out for the Rio Grande, by way of Mon- 
clova, with a force of six thousand men. He reached the river 
on the 12th, where he halted till the 16th, waiting for the troops 
to come up, and to make suitable preparations for crossing the 
uninhabited prairies which lay between him and Bexar. While 
tarrying at Guerrero, he was engaged in dictating to the central 
government his views as to the policy to be pursued towards 
Texas, when it should be reduced. His plan was as follows: 
To drive from the province all who had taken part in the revolu- 
tion, together with all foreigners who lived near the sea coast, or 
the borders of the United States; to remove far into the interior 
those who had not taken part in the war; to vacate all sales and 
grants of land owned by non-residents; to remove from Texas 
all who had come to the province, and were not entered as colo- 
nists under Mexican rules; to divide among the officers and 
soldiers of the Mexican army the best lands, provided they 
would occupy them; to permit no Anglo-American to settle in 
Texas; to sell the remaining vacant lands at one dollar per acre 
— allowing the French to buy only five millions of acres, the 
English the same, the Germans somewhat more, and to those 
speaking the Spanish language, without limit; to satisfy the 
claims of the civilized Indians; to make the Texans pay the 
expenses of the war; and to liberate and declare free the negroes 
introduced into the province. — Pages 64-65; Vol. II. 
(d) Here are the decrees referred to by Santa Anna: 
"1. Foreigners, landing on the coast of the Republic, or invad- 
ing its territory by land, armed, and with the intention of 
attacking our country, will be deemed pirates, and dealt with 
as such, being citizens of no nation presently at war with the 
Republic, and fighting under no recognized flag. 



Appendix. 95 

"2. All foreigners, who shall import, by either sea or land, 
in the places occupied by the rebels, either arms or ammunition 
of any kind, for their use, will be deemed pirates, and punished 
as such. 

" I send you these decrees, that you may cause them to be 
fully executed. 

"Torn el. 

"Mexico, December 30, 1835."— Note on page 749, Vol. II. 

" To Genera/ Urrea, Commanding, Etc.: 

[Official.] 
" In respect to the prisoners, of whom you speak in your last 
communication, you must not fail to bear in mind the circular 
of the supreme government, in which it is decreed that foreign- 
ers invading the Republic, and taken with arms in their hands, 
shall be judged and treated as pirates; and as, in my view of the 
matter, every Mexican guilty of the crime of joining these 
adventurers, loses the rights of a citizen by his unnatural con- 
duct, the five Mexican prisoners, whom you have taken, ought 

also to suffer as traitors. 

[Unofficial.] 

" In regard to foreigners, who make war, and those unnatural 
Mexicans, who have joined their cause, you will remark, that 
what I have stated to you officially is in accordance with the for- 
mer provisions of the supreme government. An example is 
necessary, in order that these adventurers may be duly warned, 
and the nation be delivered from the ills she is daily doomed to 
suffer. 

"Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. 

" General Quarters, Bexar, March 3, 1836." 
" To General Urrea, Commanding-, Etc.: 

" Under date of the present, I have stated to the commandant 
of the Post of Goliad, as follows : 

" By a communication, made to me by Colonel D. F. Gray, of 
that place, I am informed that there have been sent to you by 
General Urrea, 234 prisoners, taken in the action of Encinol del 
Perdido (Coleta), on the 19th and 20th of the present month; 
and as the supreme government has ordered that all foreigners, 
taken with arms in their hands, making war upon the nation, 
shall be treated as pirates, I have been surprised that the circular 
of the said supreme government has not been fully complied 
with in this particular. I therefore order, that you should give 
immediate effect to the said ordinance in respect to all those for- 



96 Appendix. 



eigners who have yielded to t ho force of anus, having had the 
audacity t<> come and insult the Republic, to devastate with fire 
and sword, as has been the rase in Goliad, causing vast detri- 
ment to our citizens; in a word, shedding the precious blood of 
Mexican citizens, whose only crime has been fidelity to their 
country. I trust that, in reply to this, you will inform me that 
public vengeance has been satisfied by the punishment of such 
detestable delinquents. I transcribe the said decree of the gov- 
ernment tor your guidance, and that you may strictly fulfill the 
same, in tin- zealous hope that, for the future, the provisions of 
tin- supreme government may not, for a moment, he infringed. 

"Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. 
"Headquarters Bexar, March 23, [836." — pp. 516-517, Vol. II. 

(e) * * Cos and his officers were permitted to retire with 
their arms anil private property, upon their word of honor that 
they would not, in any way, oppose the re -establishment of the 
constitution of [824; the Mexican convid soldiers were to he 
taken beyond the Rio Grande. * * It is proper here to state 
that during the attack, notwithstanding General Burleson hail 
out a constant patrol, (Jgartachea made his way into San Antonio 
with live hundred convicts, guarded by a hundred regular 
infantry. — Pages 30-31 ; Vol. II. 

(/) We have seen the preparations of the contending forees, 
and have followed Santa Anna, with a well appointed army, to 

the walls of Bexar, and Urrea to San Patricio. We have seen 
Travis, with some thirty men, sent by Governor Smith to the 
former place, and Howie dispatched by Houston, with a like 
number, from Goliad. One other worthy is vet lacking to take 
part in tin- death struggle at the Alamo. David Crockett was a 
Tennesseean. His education, which consisted mostly in the 
fearless rifle, he had himself acquired in the then unsettled for- 
ests «>l West Tennessee. Having Strong natural powers of mind, 

he was elected to the State Legislature, ami subsequently as rep- 
resentative to Congress, But he did not comprehend the 
machinery of the federal government, due rules of Jefferson's 

manual were to him as mysterious as the Delphian oraeles. 

1 1 ence, his efforts in the 1 louse of Representatives were abortive, 
and so notoriously so, that he was not returned. The struggle 
thin pending in Texas was more to his taste, and he came to 

take part in it . 



Appendix. 97 



l)«>n Augustine Viesca, and his secretary, Don hula, having 
made their escape from Mexico, sought an asylum in Nacog- 
doches. They were received by the citizens with open arms, not 
only because of their adherence to republican principles, bul 
because of the high offices thej held in the late government oi 
Coahuila ami Texas. A sumptuous table was spread for them in 
the large hall of Major Nixon, and thev had sat down with the 
citizens, on the 5th of January, [836, to partake of it. It was 
then announced that David Crockett had arrived in town, on his 
way to the Texan army. A committee was forthwith dispatched 
to wait on him, and bring him to the feast. His appearance in 
the hall was greeted with three hearty cheers. He added 
greatly to the pleasure of the company by his numerous and 
quaint stories. Having declared his intention to become a citi- 
zen of Texas, he proceeded to the office of Judge Forbes, to take 
the oath of allegiance, lie refused, however, to subscribe to it 
until that cause requiring him to " bear true allegiance to the 
provisional government oi Texas, or any future government thai 
might be thereafter declared," was so interlined as to make it 
read, "any future republican government." Having settled 
these points, he set out, with a few companions, for the seat of 
war, ami reached the Alamo in time to reap a rich harvest of its 
glory and blood. — Pages 70-71, Vol. 11. 

(g) "While these events were passing in Texas, the destruc- 
tion of the federal constitution was consummated in Mexico. 
By a decree oi the 3d of October, 1835, tnC state legislatures 
were abolished, and theirplaces supplied by a department coun- 
cil. The governors of the several states, and, in fait, all officers, 
were made dependent on the supreme power. This was the 
-work of Santa Anna, vet his name does not appear in the 
decree. It was the finishing blow in the overthrow oi civil lib- 
erty in Mexico. The people oi Texas saw it, and foresaw it. 
The arrival of the news did not change their purpose or their 
action, for these had already been determined on. The affair at 
Gonzales was the first overt act on the part of their oppressors. 
Thev met ami repelled it, as did the people at Lexington and 
Concord. * * * —Page 366, Vol. I. 

The Mexican federal constitution of 18-14 — about which so 
much has been said — was formed upon that of the United States, 
but with some fatal differences. Among the most important of 

these were: the absence oi the right of trial bv jurv; the prohi- 

7 



98 Appendix. 



bition of any other than the Roman Catholic religion, and 
defining that as the faith of the nation; making congress, in- 
stead of the courts, the final interpreter of the constitution; per- 
mitting the president, under any circumstances, to command 
the armies of the republic in person; and failing to define more 
clearly the rights of the several states of the confederacy. — Page 
230, Vol. I. 

(It) Meantime, General Cos, with his force, was slowly ap- 
proaching the capital of the State of Coahuila and Texas. The 
legislature prepared to meet this invasion of its rights, not by 
force of arms, but by the enactment of laws for extending land 
titles. It found time, during its last days, to create a bank, to 
be organized under the auspices of an empresario in Texas. 
Governor Viesca called out the militia to defend the legislature; 
but the public mind of the State, especially in Texas, was so 
thoroughly convinced of the selfishness and corruption of that 
body, that the stirring appeals of his excellency could not rouse 
them. They declared that it was too much to risk their blood 
to sustain those who had wantonly squandered their lands. The 
legislature, therefore, after passing a decree, authorizing the 
provisional location of the seat of government at such point as 
the governor might select, hastily adjourned. Thus closed for- 
ever, on the j 1st day of April, 1835, the legislature of Coahuila 
and Texas. It fell by the hands of a tyrant, but unpitied by the 
people. 

The governor having selected Bexar as the future temporary 
capitol of the state, selected the archives, and set out on his jour- 
ney thither, with an escort of one hundred and fifty of the mili- 
tia and some few Texans. After proceeding as far as llermanos, 
he returned to Monclova, with a view to surrender' and make 
terms with Santa Anna; but suhsequently apprehending that he 
would be safer in Texas, he set out on his way to that department 
in company with Col, Milam and John Cameron. The party 
were, however, captured in the mountains by the forces of Cos, 
and started for Vera Cruz. Milam escaped at Monterey, and 
the others at Saltillo,.and finally all reached Texas. — Pages 335, 
336; Vol. I. 

(/) * * * In the evening the fire of the Mexicans be- 
came active from all their works. Colonel Milam, in passing 
from his position to that of Johnson, at the Veramendi House, 
was instantly killed by a rifle-shot in the head. He fell just as 



Appendix. 99 



ho entered the yard. In his death Texas lost a commander and 
a soldier whose place could not be easily supplied. The Texans, 
however, felt a new incentive to avenge his death. * * — Page 
2S; Vol. II. 

(/) The colonists have been charged with ingratitude. 
Wherein? They were invited to a desert. They came, and 
found it inhabited by Indians— and those of such audacity that 
even in San Antonio, where the Mexicans mostly lived, they 
compelled the citizens and soldiers in the place to hold their 
horses while they paraded about the town. These savages the 
colonists had to subdue at their own expense and on their own 
account. Mexico gave them nothing. The lands only were val- 
uable because they made them so. They were invited to a free 
country; they were determined to keep it free — not only from 
Indian cruelty, but Mexican tyranny. If Mexico was slow in 
learning this fact, it was not the fault of the colonists, for they 
employed every suitable occasion to impress it upon the rulers of 
their adopted country. — Page 245; Vol. I. 

(/•) So many applications induced the appointment of a 
committee, who reported in favor of a general colonization law. 
The bill before the congress was about to receive the final sanc- 
tion of that body, when, on the morning of the 31st of October, 
1822, Iturbide (who had previously caused himself to be declared 
emperor) abruptly ejected and dispersed them. The emperor, 
after an apology to the Mexican people for this high-handed 
measure, called a congress, or junta, of forty-five members, 
nominated by himself. This body, in pursuance of the wishes 
of Iturbide, shortly afterwards prepared and passed a new colo- 
nization law, which received the imperial sanction on the 4th of 
January, 1823. As this exhibits the general features and condi- 
tions of those subsequently enacted, they may be here properly 
referred to : 

"1. The first step, being an abrogation of the royal extermi- 
nating order of Philip II against foreigners, is an agreement to 
protect them in their liberty, property and civil rights. 

" 2. But as a condition precedent, they must be such as profess 
the Roman Catholic apostolic religion, the established religion 
of the empire. 

"3. To encourage the emigration of such, the government 
will distribute to them lands out of the vacant domain. 



100 Appendix. 



"4. Not less than a labor, or one hundred and seventy-seven 
acres, will be given to each farmer; and not less than one league, 
or four thousand four hundred and twenty-eight acres, to each 
stock raiser. 

" 5. Immigrants could come on their own account, and receive 
their lands, or be introduced through an emprcsario. 

"6. As an inducement to immigrants, they were to be free for 
six years from the payment of tithes, taxes, duties, etc. 

"7. There was to be ho sale or purchase of slaves, and the 
children of slaves born in the empire were to be free at fourteen 
years of age. 

"8. The ewpresarios, for each two hundred families they 
should introduce, were entitled to fifteen leagues and two labors, 
or sixty-six thousand, seven hundred and seventy-four acres, of 
land; but this premium could not exceed forty-five leagues and 
six labors, whatever number of families should be introduced. 
The emprcsario was, however, bound to have such lands peopled 
and cultivated within twelve years from the concession, and to 
sell or dispose of two-thirds of it within twenty years." — Page 
216; Vol. I. 

At length a dispatch was received from the secretary of state of 
the supreme government, declaring that " the colonists in adopt- 
ing Texas for their country, subjected themselves to the laws 
which a majority of the nation might establish." If the colo- 
nists had been allowed a voice in making, those laws, even then 
there would be a limit to their obedience — which limit would 
depend upon the character of the laws, and the prospect of suc- 
cessful resistance; but having absolutely no voice in making the 
laws, the proposition was wholly inadmissable and incompatible 
with civil liberty. — Page 360; Vol. I. 

(/) Santa Anna immediately demanded a surrender of the 
Alamo and its defenders, without terms. The demand was an- 
swered by a shot from the fort. The enemy then hoisted a 
blood-red flag in the town and commenced an attack. It was 
intended to be by slow approaches, for at first the bombardment 
was harmless. — Page 76; Vol. II. 

( w ) * * * They, however, succeeded that night in erecting 
their battery — being protected by some old houses between the 
gate of the Alamo and the bridge. It was three hundred yards 
south of the place. They also erected another, the same night, 
near the powder-house, or garifa, "a thousand yards to the south- 



Appendix. 101 



east. * * * * The Texans sallied out for wood and water 
without loss; and at night they succeeded in burning some old 
houses northeast from the fort, and near a battery erected by 
the enemy on the Alamo ditch, about eight hundred yards dis- 
tant. During all this time the Mexicans kept up a constant 
firing, hut with little effect. On the 28th, they erected another 
battery at the old mill eight hundred yards north, and attempted 
to cut off the water from the fort. — Pages 77, 78; Vol. II. 

(«) It is proper here to state that Travis wrote on the 23rd to 
Colonel Fannin, then at Goliad, making known his position, and 
requesting him to march to his relief. — Page 78; Vol. II. 

* * * On that day J. B. Bonham, who had gone as express 
to Fannin for aid, returned, and made his way safely into the 
fort, at 11 o'clock in the morning. — Page 79; Vol. II. 

(o) * * It had been previously agreed upon by the besieged 
that the survivor should fire a large quantity of damaged powder 
in the magazine. Major Evans, the master of ordnance, was 
shot as he attempted to perform that last high duty to his coun- 
trv. Colonel Bowie, who had been for some days sick in his 
bed, was there butchered and mutilated. * * * Travis and 
Crockett fell— the former near the western wall, the latter in the 
corner near the church— with piles of slain around them. — Page 

81; Vol. II. 

(p} Command ancy of the Alamo, 

Bexar, Feb. 24th, 1836. 

Fellow Citizens and Compatriots : — I am besieged by a thou- 
sand or more Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a 
continuous bombardment for twenty-four hours, and have not 
lost a man. The enemy have demanded a surrender at discre- 
tion ; otherwise the garrison is to be put to the sword if the place 
is taken. I have answered the summons with a cannon shot, and 
our flag still waves proudly from the walls. / shall never sur- 
render or retreat. Then, I call on you, in the name of liberty, 
of patriotism, and of everything dear to the American character, 
to come to our aid with all dispatch. The enemy are receiving 
reinforcements daily, and will no doubt increase to three or four 
thousand in four or five days. Though this call may be neglect- 
ed, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible, and 
die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor 
and that of his country— victory or death! 

W. Barrett Travis, 
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding. 



102 Appendix. 



P. S. — The Lord is on our side. When the enemy appeared 
in sight, we had not three bushels of corn. We have since found, 
in deserted houses, eighty or ninety bushels, and got into the 
walls twenty or thirty head of beeves, T. 

—Pages 76 and 77; Vol. II (note). 

((/) TheTexans, being short of ammunition, fired but seldom. 
In the evening, however, they struck the house occupied by 
Santa Anna, in Bexar, with a twelve pound shot. On the 2d, the 
attack was still maintained. The Texans continued the light, as 
their means and strength would allow. On the 3d, the enemy 
erected a battery on the north of the fort, and within musket 
shot. Travis addressed a last appeal to the president of the con- 
vention, setting forth fully his position and determination, lie 
stated that the "blood red banners, which waved on the church 
at Bexar, and in the camp above him, were tokens that the war 
was one of vengeance against rebels." Perhaps, by the same 
courier, he sent the affecting note to his friend in Washington 
county: "Take care of my little hoy. If the country should he 
saved, I may make him a splendid fortune; hut if the country 
should he lost, and I should perish, he will have nothing hut the 
proud recollection that he is the son of a man who died for his 
country." — Page 79; Vol. II. 

(r) In a letter of Travis, dated the 3d of March, and fur- 
nished me by Jesse Grimes, Esq., he says: " I am still here, in 
fine spirits, and well-to-do. With 145 men I have held this 
plaee ten days against a force variously estimated from fifteen 
hundred to six thousand,- and I shall continue to hold it till I 
get relief from my countrymen, or I will perish in its defence. 
We have had a shower of bombs and cannon halls continually 
falling among us the whole time, yet none of us have fallen. 
We have been miraculously preserved .—Page 79 ; Vol. II (note). 

(s) The enemy continued the lire on the 4th ; hut few shots 
were returned from the fort. In the afternoon, Santa Anna 
called a council of war, to advise on the question of assaulting 
the place. After much discussion, Cos, Castrillon and others, 
were of the opinion that the Alamo should he assaulted after the 
arrival of the two twelve-pounders, expected on the 7th. The 
President, Generals Ramirez, Sesma and Almonte, were of the 
opinion that the twelve-pounder should not he waited for, hut 
the assault made. Santa Anna, without making a public deci- 
sion, determined upon an assault, and made his preparations 
accordingly. -Page 79; Vol. II. 



Appendix. 103 



(J) On Sunday morning, the 6th of March, a little after mid- 
night, the Alamo was surrounded by the entire Mexican army. 
The cavalry wore placed without the infantry, to cut them down 
if they offered to give way. The latter wore provided with scal- 
ing ladders The enemy, thus forming a circle facing the fort, 
advanced rapidly, under a tremendous lire from the Texan rifles 
and artillery. Just at daylight the ladders were placed against 
the walls and an attempt made by the enemy to enter the fort; 
hut they were driven hack by the stern defenders within. Again 
the charge was sounded, and a second effort made to reach the 
top of the walls, but again the assailants were repulsed. For a 
few minutes there was a pause: but by the presence, threats and 
promises of Santa Anna, a third assult was made, and with more 
fatal success. The enemy reaching the top of the ladders, 
wavered and fell, but their places were supplied by the hundreds 
pressing onward and behind them on each ladder. At length, 
killed, cut down and exhausted, the Texan defenders did not re- 
treat, but ceased to keep hack the Mexicans. Instantly the fort 
was tilled by the latter. The survivors within the walls still con- 
tinued to do battle. They clubbed their guns, and used them 
till they were nearly all cut down. It is said that a few called 
for quarter, but the cry was unheeded. — Page 80; Vol. II. 

(//) Those in the fort that survived were : Mrs. Dickinson, 
(wife of Lieutenant Dickinson, who fell in the defence), her 
child, a negro servant of Colonel Travis, and two Mexican 
women of Bexar. The bodies of the Texans, after being strip- 
ped and subjected to brutal indignities, were thrown into heaps 
and burnt. The most of them were Americans, many of them 
colonists, who emigrated to Texas under the assurance of the 
colonization laws that their rights and liberties should be pro- 
tected. The Mexicans of Bexar were mostly hostile; only three 
of them were among the defenders of the Alamo. — Page Si ; 
Vol. II. 



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